| The Mathematical Coloring Book: Mathematics of Coloring and the Colorful Life of Its Creators 2009 Edition Contributor(s): Soifer, Alexander (Author), Grünbaum, Branko (Foreword by), Johnson, Peter (Foreword by) |
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ISBN: 1489996265 ISBN-13: 9781489996268 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $189.99 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2014 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Mathematics | Combinatorics - Mathematics | History & Philosophy - Mathematics | Logic |
| Dewey: 510.9 |
| Physical Information: 1.29" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.95 lbs) 607 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This is a unique type of book; at least, I have never encountered a book of this kind. The best description of it I can give is that it is a mystery novel, developing on three levels, and imbued with both educational and philosophical/moral issues. If this summary description does not help understanding the particular character and allure of the book, possibly a more detailed explanation will be found useful. One of the primary goals of the author is to interest readers--in particular, young mathematiciansorpossiblypre-mathematicians--inthefascinatingworldofelegant and easily understandable problems, for which no particular mathematical kno- edge is necessary, but which are very far from being easily solved. In fact, the prototype of such problems is the following: If each point of the plane is to be given a color, how many colors do we need if every two points at unit distance are to receive distinct colors? More than half a century ago it was established that the least number of colors needed for such a coloring is either 4, or 5, or 6 or 7. Well, which is it? Despite efforts by a legion of very bright people--many of whom developed whole branches of mathematics and solved problems that seemed much harder--not a single advance towards the answer has been made. This mystery, and scores of other similarly simple questions, form one level of mysteries explored. In doing this, the author presents a whole lot of attractive results in an engaging way, and with increasing level of depth. |