Paradoxes in Mathematics

(Dover Books on Mathematics) 

Stanley J. Farlow

Dover Publications | 2014 | 192 páginas | rar - epub | 6,48 Mb


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There's more than one way to define a paradox, and this intriguing book offers examples of every kind. Stanley J. Farlow, a prominent educator and author, presents a captivating mix of mathematical paradoxes: the kind with surprising, nonintuitive outcomes; the variety that rely on mathematical sleight-of-hand to impress the unwary observer; and the baffling type with a solution that passes all understanding.
Students and puzzle enthusiasts will find plenty of thought-provoking enjoyment mixed with a bit of painless mathematical instruction among these twenty-eight conundrums. Some of them involve counting, some deal with infinity, and others draw on principles of geometry and arithmetic. None requires an extensive background in higher mathematics. Challenges include The Curve That Shook the World, a variation on the famous Monty Hall Problem, Space Travel in a Wineglass, Through Cantor's Looking Glass, and other fun-to-ponder paradoxes.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Paper Folding: Do Not Try This at Home
Rope Around the Earth
Oh No! The Monty Hall Problem!
The Birthday Paradox: You’re NOT Going to Believe This
Mathematical Masonry
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh: The Curry Paradox
The Not-So-Uncommon Anomaly of Mr. Simpson
Some Paradoxes Can (Literally) Kill You
The Curve That Shook the World
Mary’s Paint Can Conundrum
The China Paradox
The Two-Envelope Paradox
St. Petersburg Paradox
Through Cantor’s Looking Glass
Aristotle’s Wheel Paradox
Did I Ever Tell You About My Uncle Charlie?
Parrondo’s Paradox: A Paradox for Losers
Zeno’s Paradox
Will the Real Numbers Please Stand Up?
The Four Bears Paradox
Uncle George’s Will
Milos and the Tainted Wine
Space-Filling Curve
Wheels: More Than Just Round and Round
Space Travel in a Wineglass
The Mysterious Transcendental Numbers
Gabriel’s Horn Paradox
Russell’s Paradox: Why We Need Rules