My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles (Dover Recreational Math)

by Martin Gardner

Over a period of 25 years as author of the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American, Martin Gardner devoted a column every six months or so to short math problems or puzzles. He was especially careful to present new and unfamiliar puzzles that had not been included in such classic collections as those by Sam Loyd and Henry Dudeney. Later, these puzzles were published in book collections, incorporating reader feedback on alternate solutions or interesting generalizations. The present volume contains a rich selection of 70 of the best of these brain teasers, in some cases including references to new developments related to the puzzle. Now enthusiasts can challenge their solving skills and rattle their egos with such stimulating mind-benders as The Returning Explorer, The Mutilated Chessboard, Scrambled Box Tops, The Fork in the Road, Bronx vs. Brooklyn, Touching Cigarettes, and 64 other problems involving logic and basic math. Solutions are included.

Genres: Mathematics, Nonfiction, Puzzles, Science, Logic, Games, Reference

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Martin Gardner was an American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing micromagic, stage magic, literature (especially the writings of Lewis Carroll), philosophy, scientific skepticism, and religion. He wrote the Mathematical Games column in Scientific American from 1956 to 1981, and published over 70 books.

Reviews

[Robu-sensei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the conundrums in this collection also appear in Dr. Gardner's Aha. Of the puzzles I hadn't seen, I was able to solve a few in my head, and a fair number were straightforward with pencil and paper. Many, however, require a profound insight of the "wouldn't get that in a million years" variety—one that I didn't feel at all ashamed for not finding. (Disclaimer: I have a BA in math and am a statistician by trade.)

Regardless of the difficulty, the puzzles in this book are fair tests of intellect for anyone with a good grasp of algebra and geometry. There are no cheap shots that require an unreasonable, universe-spanning leap of logic like you find in some "mindbender" puzzle collections. You know, the kind that expect you to postulate the existence of a hedgehog wearing a leather skirt at the side of the road, or something even less likely, and then make you feel stupid when you give up in disgust. Those aren't puzzles—they're mind-reading exercises. I hate that shit.

[Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice collection of Dr. Gardner's Scientific American puzzles, of varying difficulties. Some of them were very hard, I would have never solved them by myself. I enjoyed doing the easiest ones over lunch with the family.

[Brian]

January 2020: Finally figured out puzzle number three! (Stubbornly refused to continue and obviously not going to peek at the answer...wonder if Eric Lin remembers those checkerboard with the corner squares removed problem?....). But can continue puzzling finally!

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason behind me dropping a star from the rating has to do with the difficult nature of several problems. Logic puzzles as well as mathematical games are interesting as long as attempting them involves fun and mental alacrity. Unfortunately, several problems described in this book were so rigorous that pen & paper (and occasional glance towards the tomes in the bookshelf) became essential. For grown ups who have some time to indulge themselves and who might like to remove some of the rust from the cerebral areas, this book is enjoyable. But if you harbour hopes about getting your rebellious child-prodigy attracted towards mathematics & logic through this book, then you would be disappointed.

[Ry Book Suraski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fun (small) book but be warned, it definitely requires some essential geometry (I think most fans of casual math and logic will have this level of math education... but some of us, not naming names, may have to do a little bit of self-teaching!)

Some of these were super hard, and I love the variety of strategies. These problems require you to really think outside the box unlike a simple logic grid, but none really rely on 'knowledge' or making big logical leaps. This is probably the most creative set of puzzles I've tried out, with a lot of neat twists on classic problems.

[Deryk Rumbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attempted a couple that didn't seem like they would be computation heavy and more logic based and they were fun. Just at first glance though there are some pretty intimidating ones here that would scare a lot of people including me. Probably will adapt the Mutilated Chessboard for my Algebra class, hands on and fun!

[The5Sharks Gaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book very interesting because this book allows me to think out out of the box and it exercises my brain and to think of better strategies to how to solve the puzzles. It is a very good book because I love math puzzles and when I solve a puzzle, I have a sense of achievement. :)

[Gregory Tabachnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't compare Martin Gardner to anyone else. Simply the best author and promoter of recreational mathematics. This book is one of many outstanding books with lots of logical puzzles that have unexpected solutions. Fun to read and work it through.

[Siddharth Nishar · Rating 5 out of 5]

High quality math puzzles are hard to come by -- these are elegant, lateral, precise. Easy to sink a couple days into these without regret. Great mix of difficulties to keep you guessing - some can solved in minutes while some I could not solve after hours.

[Nancy Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining. Helps keep the gray matter fresh,

With out the past there is no future to look forward too. Studying these things are fun. Tired of writing now.

[Tony Anuci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book became my go to time filler during downtime at my job. I loved it! Great way to keep your mind sharp and have fun while doing so.

[Shayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small collection, but fun.

[Sunny Dagar]

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[Volodymyr Andrusenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books in the great collection of Martin Gardner's books. Martin Gardner is a true legend in recreational math writings. My favorite author. 5 stars.

[Dana Goosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old but gold

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with this, of course, is that it's a translation of words that are meant to be puzzling. As a result, many are not written in such a way that the parameters of the problems are clear. Some assumptions have to be made to proceed with solving.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were considerably more advanced than some other Dover collections of Gardner's puzzles - in fact, most of them would require fairly advanced math skills. While I enjoyed the solutions, for the vast majority I didn't have a prayer of solving them on my own.

[Bjorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just something I like to do in my spare time.

[Rejeev Divakaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good logic puzzles.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to puzzle through these types of books. I got this one for Christmas. There are quite a few fun puzzles in there.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid puzzle book.

[Suraj Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

so amazing puzzles. :)
happy to solve them.

[Nicole]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13497521