This book discusses how to design "good" geometric puzzles: two-dimensional dissection puzzles, polyhedral dissections, and burrs. It outlines major categories of geometric puzzles and provides examples, sometimes going into the history and philosophy of those examples. The author presents challenges and thoughtful questions, as well as practical d

This book discusses how to design "good" geometric puzzles: two-dimensional dissection puzzles, polyhedral dissections, and burrs. It outlines major categories of geometric puzzles and provides examples, sometimes going into the history and philosophy of those examples. The author presents challenges and thoughtful questions, as well as practical design and woodworking tips to encourage the reader to build his own puzzles and experiment with his own designs. Aesthetics, phychology, and mathematical considerations all factor into the definition of the quality of a puzzle.

A hilarious reeducation in mathematics-full of joy, jokes, and stick figures-that sheds light on the countless practical and wonderful ways that math structures and shapes our world. In Math With Bad Drawings, Ben Orlin reveals to us what math actually is; its myriad uses, its strange symbols, and the wild leaps of logic and faith that define the usually impenetrable work of the mathematician. Truth and knowledge come in multiple forms: colorful drawings, encouraging jokes, and the stories and insights of an empathetic teacher who believes that math should belong to everyone. Orlin shows us how to think like a mathematician by teaching us a brand-new game of tic-tac-toe, how to understand an economic crises by rolling a pair of dice, and the mathematical headache that ensues when attempting to build a spherical Death Star. Every discussion in the book is illustrated with Orlin's trademark "bad drawings," which convey his message and insights with perfect pitch and clarity. With 24 chapters covering topics from the electoral college to human genetics to the reasons not to trust statistics, Math with Bad Drawings is a life-changing book for the math-estranged and math-enamored alike.

An introduction and step by step tutorial to draw Girih patterns (Geometric Patterns) for beginners.

A colorful collection of the most difficult geometric based puzzles on the market, compiled by Mensa puzzle setters.

This book provides an enjoyable and educational guide to the history, geometry, and practical construction of three-dimensional puzzles. It includes full coverage of the many different types of interlocking assembly puzzles, from burrs, Tangrams, and polyominoes to those using such polyhedra as the rhombic dodecahedron and truncated octahedron. The author, a well-known inventor and builder of solid geometrical puzzles, also describes numerous puzzles designed by himself and other inventors, many never before published. The volume is illustrated with over 200 line drawings and photographs to help enthusiasts build their own versions of these challenging and fascinating interlocking solids. Many unsolved problems are considered that will challenge mathematicians, computer buffs, and puzzle fanatics for years to come.

This collection gathers together nearly 330 tangrams, the best creations of both Chinese and Occidental puzzle devisers. Puzzles range from the relatively easy to the difficult.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Fun with Algorithms, FUN 2007, held in Castiglioncello, Italy in June 2007. It details the use, design, and analysis of algorithms and data structures, focusing on results that provide amusing, witty, but nonetheless original and scientifically profound, contributions to the area.