Winning Ways: For Your Mathematical Plays, Vol. 2 - Elwyn R. Berlekamp - Paperback

The solving of mathematical games and puzzles is seldom just a harmless pastime for its devoteesit is often an addictive and totally absorbing occupation. Why? Because the initiated know well that although no technical knowledge is needed to play most of them, a certain mathematical skill is needed to play well and to win. This long-awaited treatise from the highly-respected authors of several other books and articles on mathematical games and numbers is not just another compilation of new tricks. It is in part a fine reconstruction of how a seemingly complex game may be a compound of several simpler ones (although on a few occasions, considerable mathematical maturity is needed to follow the proofs fully); and in part a fascinating and varied account of the extraordinary range of games available for the addict's amusement. Winning Ways includes several theories for a wide range of different compounds which are described in detail in the first volume, Games in General. In this volume, Games in Particular, there is a dazzling presentation of the examples: any game which presents an opportunity for witty and original comment has been included. The analyses start with basic theory using simple examples, but progress to detailed case-studies of well-known games ranging from the elementary to the elaborate and including Tic-Tac-Toe, Dots-and-Boxes, Hackenbush, Peg Solitaire and the maddening Hungarian cube puzzle. Written in a relaxed, humorous and light-hearted style, with tables, drawings and cartoons in colour to complement the text, this book will be a pleasure to read and re-read. All those who find mathematical puzzles even mildly interesting will find them compulsive after short exposure to Winning Ways, while those who at present grit their teeth if faced with a brain teaser in New Scientist or Scientific American may find themselves instead basking in the satisfaction of success once they have digested this, the definitive work on the subject.Berlekamp, Elwyn R. is the author of 'Winning Ways: For Your Mathematical Plays, Vol. 2 - Elwyn R. Berlekamp - Paperback' with ISBN 9780120911028 and ISBN 0120911027.