Adventures in Group Theory: Rubik's Cube, Merlin's Machine, and Other Mathematical Toys - Softcover

Joyner, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801869471 ISBN 13: 9780801869471

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Group theory deals with symmetry, in the most abstract form possible. It is a core part of the undergraduate math curriculum, and forms part of the training of theoretical physicists and chemical crystallographers. Group theory has tended to be very dry―until now. David Joyner uses mathematical toys (primarily the Rubik's Cube and its more modern cousins, the Megaminx, the Pyraminx, and so on) as well as other mathematical examples (e.g., bell ringing) to breathe new life into a time-honored subject.

"Why," asks the author, "should two such different topics, mechanical puzzles and abstract group theory, be related? This book takes the reader on an intellectual trip to answer this curiosity." Adventures in Group Theory will not only appeal to all math enthusiasts and interested general readers but will also find use in the classroom as a wonderful supplementary text in any abstract algebra or group theory course.

About this title

From the Publisher:

"This is a book on group theory that lives outside the usual rather dry regime of typical mathematics texts. In setting the book squarely among these puzzles, the underlying mathematics comes alive in quite spectacular fashion. The author achieves this goal admirably here. The text is well organized and written in an interesting and very readable manner."—Ian W. Knowles, University of Alabama

About the Author:

David Joyner is a professor of mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is coauthor of Linear Algebra with Applications and editor of Coding Theory and Cryptography: From Enigma and Geheimschreiber to Quantum Theory.

About this edition

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0801869471
• ISBN 13: 9780801869471
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288