Description

The Inquisitive Problem Solver is a collection of mathematical miniatures composed to stimulate and entertain. On a deeper level, these little puzzles, accessible to a general audience, provide a setting rich in mathematical themes. One of the larger purposes of the book is to show how everyday situations can lead an inquisitive problem solver to profound and far-reaching mathematical principles. Discussions accompanying the problems reinforce important techniques in discrete mathematics, and the solutions - which require verbal arguments - show that proofs and careful reasoning are at the core of doing mathematics. In addition, anyone reading this book will learn that asking good questions is just as important to the progress of mathematics as answering questions. The book contains more than a dozen open problems for further research by amateurs or professionals. This treasury of problems will serve as a resource for anyone seeking to improve their problem-solving knowledge and know-how.