Games and mathematics : subtle connections / / David Wells [[electronic resource]]

• Autore: Wells D. G (David G.)
• Pubblicazione: Cambridge : , : Cambridge University Press, , 2012
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (x, 246 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)
• Disciplina: 510
• Soggetto topico: Games - Mathematical models; Mathematical recreations; Mathematics - Psychological aspects
• Note generali: Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Machine generated contents note: Introduction; Part I. Mathematical recreations and abstract games: 1. Recreations from Euler to Lucas; 2. Four abstract games; 3. Mathematics and games: mysterious connections; 4. Why chess is not mathematics; 5. Proving versus checking; Part II. Mathematics: game-like, scientific and perceptual: 6. Game-like mathematics; 7. Euclid and the rules of his geometrical game; 8. New concepts and new objects; 9. Convergent and divergent series; 10. Mathematics becomes game-like; 11. Maths as science; 12. Numbers and sequences; 13. Computers and mathematics; 14. Mathematics and the sciences; 15. Minimum paths from Heron to Feynmann; 16. The foundations: perception, imagination and insight; 17. Structure; 18. Hidden structure, common structure; 19. Mathematics and beauty; 20. Origins: formality in the everyday world; Bibliography; Index.
• Sommario/riassunto: The appeal of games and puzzles is timeless and universal. In this unique book, David Wells explores the fascinating connections between games and mathematics, proving that mathematics is not just about tedious calculation but imagination, insight and intuition. The first part of the book introduces games, puzzles and mathematical recreations, including knight tours on a chessboard. The second part explains how thinking about playing games can mirror the thinking of a mathematician, using scientific investigation, tactics and strategy, and sharp observation. Finally the author considers game-like features found in a wide range of human behaviours, illuminating the role of mathematics and helping to explain why it exists at all. This thought-provoking book is perfect for anyone with a thirst for mathematics and its hidden beauty; a good high school grounding in mathematics is all the background that is required, and the puzzles and games will suit pupils from 14 years.
• Altri titoli varianti: Games & Mathematics
• Titolo autorizzato: Games and mathematics
• ISBN: 1-139-88768-8; 1-139-56469-2; 1-139-54990-1; 1-139-17583-1; 1-139-55611-8; 1-139-55486-7; 1-139-55241-4; 1-283-74619-0; 1-139-55115-9
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910453030403321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II