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The Mathematical Playground: People and Problems from 31 Years of Math Horizons
 
Edited by: Alissa S. Crans Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Glen T. Whitney Prison Math Project, Phoenix, AZ
MAA Press: An Imprint of the American Mathematical Society
Softcover ISBN:  978-1-4704-7752-3
Product Code:  PRB/38
List Price: $39.00
MAA Member Price: $29.25
AMS Member Price: $29.25
eBook ISBN:  978-1-4704-7801-8
Product Code:  PRB/38.E
List Price: $35.00
MAA Member Price: $26.25
AMS Member Price: $26.25
Softcover ISBN:  978-1-4704-7752-3
eBook: ISBN:  978-1-4704-7801-8
Product Code:  PRB/38.B
List Price: $74.00 $56.50
MAA Member Price: $55.50 $42.38
AMS Member Price: $55.50 $42.38
Click above image for expanded view
The Mathematical Playground: People and Problems from 31 Years of Math Horizons
Edited by: Alissa S. Crans Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Glen T. Whitney Prison Math Project, Phoenix, AZ
MAA Press: An Imprint of the American Mathematical Society
Softcover ISBN:  978-1-4704-7752-3
Product Code:  PRB/38
List Price: $39.00
MAA Member Price: $29.25
AMS Member Price: $29.25
eBook ISBN:  978-1-4704-7801-8
Product Code:  PRB/38.E
List Price: $35.00
MAA Member Price: $26.25
AMS Member Price: $26.25
Softcover ISBN:  978-1-4704-7752-3
eBook ISBN:  978-1-4704-7801-8
Product Code:  PRB/38.B
List Price: $74.00 $56.50
MAA Member Price: $55.50 $42.38
AMS Member Price: $55.50 $42.38
  • Book Details
     
     
    Problem Books
    Volume: 382024; 370 pp
    MSC: Primary 00; 97; 01

    Welcome to The Mathematical Playground, a book celebrating more than thirty years of the problems column in the MAA undergraduate magazine, Math Horizons. Anecdotes, interviews, and historical sketches accompany the puzzles, conveying the vibrancy of the “Playground” community. The lively prose and humor used throughout the book reveal the enthusiasm and playfulness that have become the column's hallmark.

    Each chapter features a theme that helps illustrate community: from the Opening Acts—chronicling how interesting questions snowball into original research—to the Posers and Solvers themselves. These stories add an engaging dimension beyond the ample mathematical challenge. A particular highlight is a chapter introducing the seven editors who have produced “The Playground”, revealing the perspectives of the individuals behind the column.

    The Mathematical Playground has plenty to offer both novice and experienced solvers. The lighthearted, conversational style, together with copious hints, a problem-solving primer, and a detailed glossary, welcomes newcomers, regardless of their background, to the puzzle-solving world. The more seasoned solver will find over twenty new problems plus open-ended challenges and suggestions for further investigation. Whether you're a long-time Math Horizons reader, or encountering “The Playground” for the first time, you are invited into this celebration of the rich culture of recreational mathematics. Just remember the most important rule ... Have fun!

    Readership

    Anyone interested in recreational mathematics.

  • Table of Contents
     
     
    • Chapters
    • Introduction
    • Phi, Pi, e, Fum! 3 constants
    • Picture perfect 5 portraits
    • Opening acts 7 starters
    • Prominent players 11 cameos
    • The zip line 13 adventures
    • Stumpers and bloopers 17 quandaries
    • Posers and solvers 19 contributions
    • Editors of the playground 23 questions
    • Games 29 challenges
    • Glossary of terms and theorems
    • Hints
    • Solutions
  • Reviews
     
     
    • Math Horizons is the undergraduate magazine of the Mathematical Association of America, and the book, a compilation of its best puzzles, is full of great material.

      Alex Bellos, The Guardian
  • Requests
     
     
    Review Copy – for publishers of book reviews
    Accessibility – to request an alternate format of an AMS title
Volume: 382024; 370 pp
MSC: Primary 00; 97; 01

Welcome to The Mathematical Playground, a book celebrating more than thirty years of the problems column in the MAA undergraduate magazine, Math Horizons. Anecdotes, interviews, and historical sketches accompany the puzzles, conveying the vibrancy of the “Playground” community. The lively prose and humor used throughout the book reveal the enthusiasm and playfulness that have become the column's hallmark.

Each chapter features a theme that helps illustrate community: from the Opening Acts—chronicling how interesting questions snowball into original research—to the Posers and Solvers themselves. These stories add an engaging dimension beyond the ample mathematical challenge. A particular highlight is a chapter introducing the seven editors who have produced “The Playground”, revealing the perspectives of the individuals behind the column.

The Mathematical Playground has plenty to offer both novice and experienced solvers. The lighthearted, conversational style, together with copious hints, a problem-solving primer, and a detailed glossary, welcomes newcomers, regardless of their background, to the puzzle-solving world. The more seasoned solver will find over twenty new problems plus open-ended challenges and suggestions for further investigation. Whether you're a long-time Math Horizons reader, or encountering “The Playground” for the first time, you are invited into this celebration of the rich culture of recreational mathematics. Just remember the most important rule ... Have fun!

Readership

Anyone interested in recreational mathematics.

  • Chapters
  • Introduction
  • Phi, Pi, e, Fum! 3 constants
  • Picture perfect 5 portraits
  • Opening acts 7 starters
  • Prominent players 11 cameos
  • The zip line 13 adventures
  • Stumpers and bloopers 17 quandaries
  • Posers and solvers 19 contributions
  • Editors of the playground 23 questions
  • Games 29 challenges
  • Glossary of terms and theorems
  • Hints
  • Solutions
  • Math Horizons is the undergraduate magazine of the Mathematical Association of America, and the book, a compilation of its best puzzles, is full of great material.

    Alex Bellos, The Guardian
Review Copy – for publishers of book reviews
Accessibility – to request an alternate format of an AMS title
Please select which format for which you are requesting permissions.