Welcome to the challenge of recreational mathematics.
Puzzles are good for you! The general consensus amongst scientists is that mental exercise improves mental performance. 'U-can-do' puzzles and problems have been designed to give your brain the necessary mental exercise. They will stimulate your thinking process while improving your concentration, IQ and consequently, your self-esteem.
For the young, the puzzles will develop your logical reasoning and problem solving skills. For the more mature puzzler, the exercises will protect against brain deterioration - the 'use it or lose it' theory. Irrespective of age, there are challenges for everyone. For further enjoyment, math quotes, facts, humour, anagrams and other special features are included throughout the book.
A teacher once told me, "If at you first don't succeed, keep trying. Success does not come without failure but failure comes by not trying". So with this in mind, put on your thinking cap, take the challenge, don't give up and you will enjoy the positive results!
Need help? There are hints/suggestions throughout the book and solutions, answers and relevant supporting mathematical information in the back pages. As an extra bonus there is an associated puzzle website available, www.gordonburgin.com.
Gordon Burgin studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Buffalo, NY, USA. His analytical skills were honed by his career in electronics but in his spare time he followed his keen interest in Maths by teaching Systems Analysis and Mathematics at Junior College level in California. After retirement he volunteered as a Science and Maths Tutor for US DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) in a special educational programme (AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination) which assisted under achieving students reach university entrance level of education. Recognising the benefit of numeric and logic puzzles as a learning aid and educational tool he developed puzzles for both educational and leisure entertainment. They proved to be popular not only with the students but also with their parents, friends and family. In addition to lecturing at schools, he has also supplied puzzles for a variety of international newspapers' and magazines' competition and puzzle pages. This latest puzzle book is designed for those who enjoy the challenge of recreational mathematics. It can also be used as an educational tool or just for your leisure entertainment. His puzzle website www.gordonburgin.com contains a wide selection of numeric and logic puzzles, as well as a monthly Puzzle Challenge.
