1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910149201103321

Autore

McMahon Liz

Titolo

The Joy of SET : The Many Mathematical Dimensions of a Seemingly Simple Card Game / / Liz McMahon, Rebecca Gordon, Hannah Gordon, Gary Gordon

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, NJ : , : Princeton University Press, , [2016]

©2017

ISBN

0-691-19232-4

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (321 pages) : illustrations, tables

Disciplina

793.74

Soggetti

Mathematical recreations

Card games

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- 1. SET and You -- 2. Counting Fun! -- 3. Probability! -- 4. SET and Modular Arithmetic -- 5. SET and Geometry -- Interlude: How to Improve at SET -- 6. More Combinatorics -- 7. Probability and Statistics -- 8. Vectors and Linear Algebra -- 9. Affine Geometry Plus -- 10. Computing and Simulations -- Conclusion -- Solutions to Exercises -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX

Sommario/riassunto

Have you ever played the addictive card game SET? Have you ever wondered about the connections between games and mathematics? If the answer to either question is "yes," then The Joy of SET is the book for you! The Joy of SET takes readers on a fascinating journey into this seemingly simple card game and reveals its surprisingly deep and diverse mathematical dimensions. Absolutely no mathematical background is necessary to enjoy this book-all you need is a sense of curiosity and adventure!Originally invented in 1974 by Marsha Falco and officially released in 1991, SET has gained a widespread, loyal following. SET's eighty-one cards consist of one, two, or three symbols of different shapes (diamond, oval, squiggle), shadings (solid, striped, open), and colors (green, purple, red). In order to win, players must identify "sets" of three cards for which each characteristic is the same-or different-on all the cards. SET's strategic and unique design opens connections to a plethora of mathematical disciplines, including



geometry, modular arithmetic, combinatorics, probability, linear algebra, and computer simulations. The Joy of SET looks at these areas as well as avenues for further mathematical exploration. As the authors show, the relationship between SET and mathematics runs in both directions-playing this game has generated new mathematics, and the math has led to new questions about the game itself.The first book devoted to the mathematics of one of today's most popular card games, The Joy of SET will entertain and enlighten the game enthusiast in all of us.