Adventures In Group Theory: Rubiks Cube, Merlins Machine, And Other Mathematical Toys; Author: Joyner, David; Paperback

Author: Joyner, David
Paperback
264 pages
Published: April 2002
The Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN: 0801869471
This item non-returnable. Order may not be canceled.

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 puzzlesand 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 interesRubik's Cube, Merlin Machine and Other Mathematical Toys. Group theory deals with symmetry, in the most abstract form possible, is a core part of undergraduate maths curricula and forms part of the training of theoretical physicists and chemical crystallographers. The author uses mathematical toys to breathe life into this usually dry subject.