Aha! Solutions
Aha! Solutions
Martin Erickson
Series: Problem Books
Copyright Date: 2009
Edition: 1
Published by: Mathematical Association of America
Pages: 220
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.4169/j.ctt7zsz1h
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Book Info
Aha! Solutions
Book Description:

Every mathematician (beginner, amateur, and professional alike) thrills to find simple, elegant solutions to seemingly difficult problems. Such happy resolutions are called "aha! solutions,'' a phrase popularized by mathematics and science writer Martin Gardner. Aha! solutions are surprising, stunning, and scintillating: they reveal the beauty of mathematics. This book is a collection of problems with aha! solutions. The problems are at the level of the college mathematics student, but there should be something of interest for the high school student, the teacher of mathematics, the "math fan,'' and anyone else who loves mathematical challenges. This collection includes 100 problems in the areas of arithmetic, geometry, algebra, calculus, probability, number theory, and combinatorics. The problems start out easy and generally get more difficult as you progress through the book. A few solutions require the use of a computer. An important feature of the book is the bonus discussion of related mathematics that follows the solution of each problem. If you don't remember a mathematical definition or concept, there is a Toolkit in the back of the book that will help.

eISBN: 978-1-61444-401-5
Subjects: Mathematics
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-vi)
  2. Preface
    Preface (pp. vii-viii)
  3. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. ix-xii)
  4. 1 Elementary Problems
    1 Elementary Problems (pp. 1-40)

    Let’s begin with some relatively easy problems. The challenges become gradually more difficult as you go through the book. The problems in this chapter can be solved without advanced mathematics. Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry will be helpful, as well as your own creative thinking. I recommend that you attempt all the problems, even if you already know the answers, because you may discover new and interesting aspects of the solutions. A bonus after each solution discusses a related mathematical topic. Remember, each problem has an aha! solution.

    Abby has fifteen cookies and Betty has nine cookies. Carly,...

  5. 2 Intermediate Problems
    2 Intermediate Problems (pp. 41-128)

    I hope that you enjoyed the elementary problems. Now let’s try a selection of somewhat more difficult problems. In this chapter, we can expect to use familiar techniques from calculus and other branches of mathematics. As usual, we are looking for illuminating proofs. Aha! solutions are to be found!

    At some time between 3:00 and 4:00, the minute hand of a clock passes the hour hand. Exactly what time is this? (Assume that the hands move at uniform rates.)

    Let’s solve the problem in a mundane way first (before giving an aha! solution). We reckon time in minutes from the...

  6. 3 Advanced Problems
    3 Advanced Problems (pp. 129-182)

    An advanced problem may have an aha! solution. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the solution is easy, only that a key step is the product of inspired thinking. You may wish to turn to the Toolkit for some mathematical terms in the statements of these problems. In some cases, the solutions require advanced techniques and concepts.

    Given any polygon, join the midpoints of the edges (in order) to produce a new polygon. Notice that the pentagon below yields a “child” (shown with dotted lines) that is non-self-intersecting.

    However, the pentagram below yields a child that is self-intersecting.

    If we repeat...

  7. A Toolkit
    A Toolkit (pp. 183-192)
  8. B List of Bonuses
    B List of Bonuses (pp. 193-196)
  9. Bibliography
    Bibliography (pp. 197-198)
  10. Index
    Index (pp. 199-206)
  11. About the Author
    About the Author (pp. 207-207)
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