{"product_id":"the-colossal-book-of-mathematics-classic-puzzles-paradoxes-and-problems-9780393020236","title":"The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems","description":"\u003cbr\u003eIn its twelve sections, \u003ci\u003eThe Colossal Book of Math\u003c\/i\u003e explores a wide range of areas, each startlingly illuminated by Gardner's incisive expertise. Beginning with seemingly simple topics, Gardner expertly guides us through complicated and wondrous worlds: by way of basic algebra we contemplate the mesmerizing, often hilarious, linguistic and numerical possibilities of palindromes; using simple geometry, he dissects the principles of symmetry upon which the renowned mathematical artist M. C. Escher constructs his unique, dizzying universe. Gardner, like few thinkers today, melds a rigorous scientific skepticism with a profound artistic and imaginative impulse. His stunning exploration of \"The Church of the Fourth Dimension,\" for example, bridges the disparate worlds of religion and science by brilliantly imagining the spatial possibility of God's presence in the world as a fourth dimension, at once \"everywhere and nowhere.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith boundless wisdom and his trademark wit, Gardner allows the reader to further engage challenging topics like probability and game theory which have plagued clever gamblers, and famous mathematicians, for centuries. Whether debunking Pascal's wager with basic probability, making visual music with fractals, or uncoiling a \"knotted doughnut\" with introductory topology, Gardner continuously displays his fierce intelligence and gentle humor. His articles confront both the comfortingly mundane--\"Generalized Ticktacktoe\" and \"Sprouts and Brussel Sprouts\"--and the quakingly abstract--\"Hexaflexagons,\" \"Nothing,\" and \"Everything.\" He navigates these staggeringly obscure topics with a deft intelligence and, with addendums and suggested reading lists, he informs these classic articles with new insight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdmired by scientists and mathematicians, writers and readers alike, Gardner's vast knowledge and burning curiosity reveal themselves on every page. The culmination of a lifelong devotion to the wonders of mathematics, \u003ci\u003eThe Colossal Book of Mathematics\u003c\/i\u003e is the largest and most comprehensive math book ever assembled by Gardner and remains an indispensable volume for the amateur and expert alike.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e W. W. Norton \u0026amp; Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/17\/2001\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780393020236\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 736\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.89lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.18h x 7.26w x 1.61d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/30\/2001 pg. 76\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScitech Book News\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2001 pg. 37\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Martin Gardner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36636848357532,"sku":"9780393020236","price":33.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_52822250-e0fe-4929-94ac-7cd8f6171cd8.jpg?v=1603843141","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-colossal-book-of-mathematics-classic-puzzles-paradoxes-and-problems-9780393020236","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}