Books by Martin Gardner

Why do card tricks work? How can magicians do astonishing feats of mathematics mentally? Why do stage "mind-reading" tricks work? As a rule, we simply accept these tricks and "magic" without recognizing that they are really demonstrations of strict laws based on probability, sets, number theory, topology, and other branches of mathematics.This is the first book-length study of this fascinating branch of recreational mathematics. Written by one of the foremost experts on mathematical magic, it employs considerable historical data to summarize all previous work in this field. It is also a creative examination of laws and their exemplification, with scores of new tricks, insights, and demonstrations. Dozens of topological tricks are explained, and dozens of manipulation tricks are aligned with mathematical law.Nontechnical, detailed, and clear, this volume contains 115 sections discussing tricks with cards, dice, coins, etc.; topological tricks with handkerchiefs, cards, etc.; geometrical vanishing effects; demonstrations with pure numbers; and dozens of other topics. You will learn how a Moebius strip works and how a Curry square can "prove" that the whole is not equal to the sum of its parts.No skill at sleight of hand is needed to perform the more than 500 tricks described because mathematics guarantees their success. Detailed examination of laws and their application permits you to create your own problems and effects.

The noted expert selects 70 of his favorite "short" puzzles. Includes The Returning Explorer, The Mutilated Chessboard, Scrambled Box Tops, and dozens more. Complete solutions included.

This book presents a collection of problems and puzzles, and provides the tools and projects to furnish all-too-sluggish minds with an athletic workout and which foster an agility of the mind as they entertain. It is dedicated to all the underpaid teachers of mathematics everywhere.

Best known as the longtime writer of the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American-which introduced generations of readers to the joys of recreational mathematics-Martin Gardner has for decades pursued a parallel career as a devastatingly effective debunker of what he once famously dubbed "fads and fallacies in the name of science." It is mainly in this latter role that he is onstage in this collection of choice essays.When You Were a Tadpole and I Was a Fish takes aim at a gallery of amusing targets, ranging from Ann Coulter's qualifications as an evolutionary biologist to the logical fallacies of precognition and extrasensory perception, from Santa Claus to The Wizard of Oz, from mutilated chessboards to the little-known "one-poem poet" Langdon Smith (the original author of this volume's title line). The writings assembled here fall naturally into seven broad categories: Science, Bogus Science, Mathematics, Logic, Literature, Religion and Philosophy, and Politics. Under each heading, Gardner displays an awesome level of erudition combined with a wicked sense of humor.

The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener showcases Martin Gardner as the consummate philosopher, thinker, and great mathematician that he is. Exploring issues that range from faith to prayer to evil to immortality, and far beyond, Garnder challenges the discerning reader with fundamental questions of classical philosophy and life's greater meanings.Recalling such philosophers was Wittgenstein and Arendt, The Whys of Philosophical Scrivener embodies Martin Garner's unceasing interest and joy in the impenetrable mysteries of life.

Martin Gardner, the "Mathematical Games" columnist for Scientific American from 1956 to 1981, was also a philosopher, polymath, magician, religious thinker, and the author of more than 70 books, including The Annotated Alice, The Ambidextrous Universe, and Visitors from Oz. Here his life and works are celebrated in a bouquet of essays about him or in his honor.Introduced by his son Jim, the book includes reminiscences by Douglas Hofstadter, Morton N. Cohen, Scott Kim, David Singmaster, Michael Patrick Hearn, and many others; a festschrift contains essays by such writers as Raymond Smullyan and Robin Wilson. This volume also contains the final annotations Gardner made to the Alice books post-"Definitive Edition,"and a definitive bibliography of his Carroll-related writings.While put together under the aegis of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America, it takes a far broader look at this remarkable man and his many interests and accomplishments.

"[Gardner] zaps his targets with laserlike precision and wit."-Entertainment Weekly

Challenge yourself with new twists on the hangman's paradox, cat's cradle, gambling, peg solitaire, pi and e. All of these and more are back in Martin Gardner's inimitable style, with updates on the latest developments and discoveries.

Ninety-three riddles, mazes, illusions, tricky questions, word and picture puzzles, and other challenges offer hours of entertainment for youngsters. Filled with rib-tickling drawings. Solutions.

This is the first book of the updated collection of Mathematical Games from Martin Gardner, the king of recreational mathematics. As well as the classic puzzles, in this 2008 edition Gardner added lots of new material (game variations, proofs and more). If you like Martin Gardner, you'll love these books.

This is the second of the updated collection of Mathematical Games from Martin Gardner, the king of recreational mathematics. As well as the classic puzzles, Gardner has updated all the chapters to challenge and fascinate a new generation of readers. If you like Martin Gardner, you'll love these books.

Martin Gardner returns to charm readers with the latest on packing spheres, Reversi, braids, polyominoes, board games, and the puzzles of Lewis Carroll. Read about Knuth's Word Ladders program, new ways of finding the digits of pi, and much much more.

Examines the variety of pseudoscientific conjectures that dominate the media. With an emphasis on parapsychology and occultism, this collection addresses the evidence put forth to support claims of ESP, psychokinesis, faith healing, and other pseudoscience.

Cipher and decipher codes: transposition and polyalphabetical ciphers, famous codes, typewriter and telephone codes, codes that use playing cards, knots, and swizzle sticks . . . even invisible writing and sending messages through space. 45 diagrams.

First published in 1910, this text aims to make the topic of calculus accessible to students of mathematics. Gardner has updated the text to reflect developments in method and terminology, written an extensive preface and three new chapters, and added more than 20 recreational problems.