The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreations - Softcover

Kordemsky, Boris A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 168411375X ISBN 13: 9781684113750

Publisher: stanfordpub.com, 2017

Synopsis

This is, quite simply, the best and most popular puzzle book ever published in the Soviet Union. Since its first appearance in 1956 there have been eight editions as well as translations from the original Russian into Ukrainian, Estonian, Lettish, and Lithuanian. Almost a million copies of the Russian version alone have been sold.
Part of the reason for the book's success is its marvelously varied assortment of brainteasers ranging from simple "catch" riddles to difficult problems (none, however, requiring advanced mathematics). Many of the puzzles will be new to Western readers, while some familiar problems have been clothed in new forms. Often the puzzles are presented in the form of charming stories that provide non-Russian readers with valuable insights into contemporary Russian life and customs. In addition, Martin Gardner, former editor of the Mathematical Games Department, Scientific American, has clarified and simplified the book to make it as easy as possible for an English-reading public to understand and enjoy. He has been careful, moreover, to retain nearly all the freshness, warmth, and humor of the original.
Lavishly illustrated with over 400 clear diagrams and amusing sketches, this inexpensive edition of the first English translation will offer weeks or even months of stimulating entertainment. It belongs in the library of every puzzlist or lover of recreational mathematics.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

A non-stop train leaves Moscow for Leningrad at 60 miles per hour. Another train leaves Leningrad for Moscow at 40 miles per hour. How far apart are the trains one hour before they pass each other?
A man has to row a wolf, a goat and some cabbage across a river in a boat which will only hold himself and one of the three. If he leaves them alone, the wolf will eat the goat and the goat will eat the cabbage. How does he get them across?
These and dozens of other problems of maths, logic and common sense appear in this classic Russian puzzle book, first published in 1956.
Warm, charming and lavishly illustrated with over 400 diagrams and sketches, The Moscow Puzzles offers countless hours of entertainment for puzzle lovers of all abilities.

About the Author:

Boris A. Kordemsky PhD (1907 - 1999) was a Russian mathematician and educator. He is best known for his popular science books and mathematical puzzles, writing over 70 books in the course of his lifetime.

About this edition

• Publisher: stanfordpub.com
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 168411375X
• ISBN 13: 9781684113750
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 322