Archimedes' Revenge: The Challenge of the Unknown

by Paul Hoffman

Overview

Syndicated columnist Paul Hoffman provides an acclaimed account of the world of modern mathematicians in the bestselling tradition of accessible scientists Stephen Jay Gould and Tracey Kidder. An extremely clever account.--The New Yorker.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393327755
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/1988
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

Editorial Reviews

Hoffman is familiar to readers of Science Digest , for which he wrote a regular column under the name ``Dr. Crypton.'' This book is a collection of essays on mathematical novelties. Though some of it deals with old familiar topics, emphasis is on computer theory and some recent work in mathematics for the social sciences. Of particular interest are very nice sections on Turing machines, tiling problems, computational complexity, artificial intelligence, and voting paradoxes. These essays are in Hoffman's usual breezy, entertaining style, which seems to make difficult concepts easy. A good book for the interested layperson, including the gifted high school student.Harold D. Shane, Baruch Coll. of CUNY

Library Journal

YA-- This collection of highly readable essays on a variety of mathematical puzzles will both appeal to YAs and expand their understanding of the topics with which mathematicians grapple. Hoffman explains how to construct an unbreakable code, how to build an Easter egg, what a Mobius strip is, and how that relates to molecular structure. He discusses a puzzle which has remained unsolved since Archimedes' time, and explains why some problems are truly insoluble, even by computers. He discusses the origins and limits of computers, and the relationship between mathematical statistics and politics. The book can be read in total, or at random. Students and teachers will appreciate its content and style.-- Dorcas Hand, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.

School Library Journal