Magical Mathematics: The Mathematical Ideas That Animate Great Magic Tricks

Diaconis, Persi; Graham, Ron

ISBN 10: 0691151644 / ISBN 13: 9780691151649

Published by Princeton University Press, 2011

Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0691151644I3N01

Synopsis:

The mathematics behind some of the world's most amazing card tricks

Magical Mathematics reveals the secrets of fun-to-perform card tricks―and the profound mathematical ideas behind them―that will astound even the most accomplished magician. Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham provide easy, step-by-step instructions for each trick, explaining how to set up the effect and offering tips on what to say and do while performing it. Each card trick introduces a new mathematical idea, and varying the tricks in turn takes readers to the very threshold of today's mathematical knowledge.

Diaconis and Graham tell the stories―and reveal the best tricks―of the eccentric and brilliant inventors of mathematical magic. The book exposes old gambling secrets through the mathematics of shuffling cards, explains the classic street-gambling scam of three-card Monte, traces the history of mathematical magic back to the oldest mathematical trick―and much more.

About the Author: Persi Diaconis is professor of mathematics and statistics at Stanford University, and a former professional magician. Ron Graham (1935–2020) was professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of California, San Diego, and a former professional juggler.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Magical Mathematics: The Mathematical Ideas ...
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket