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Old and New Unsolved Problems in Plane Geometry and Number Theory (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Victor Klee, Stan Wagon
Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
Category: Book
List Price: $31.95
Buy New: $26.95
You Save: $5.00 (16%)
New (4) Used (12) from $19.95
Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 1197465
Media: Paperback
Pages: 356
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 0883853159
Dewey Decimal Number: 516.22
EAN: 9780883853153
Publication Date: September 5, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: SHIP ASAP! Minor shelf wear to the cover, but otherwise in good condition!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Victor Klee and Stan Wagon discuss some of the unsolved problems in number theory and geometry, many of which can be understood by readers with a very modest mathematical background. The presentation is organized around 24 central problems, many of which are accompanied by other, related problems. The authors place each problem in its historical and mathematical context, and the discussion is at the level of undergraduate mathematics. Each problem section is presented in two parts. The first gives an elementary overview discussing the history and both the solved and unsolved variants of the problem. The second part contains more details, including a few proofs of related results, a wider and deeper survey of what is known about the problem and its relatives, and a large collection of references. Both parts contain exercises, with solutions. The book is aimed at both teachers and students of mathematics who want to know more about famous unsolved problems.
Book Description
Victor Klee and Stan Wagon discuss 24 unsolved problems in number theory and geometry, many of which can be understood by readers with a very modest mathematical background. Each problem section gives an elementary overview discussing the history of the problem, proofs of related results and a wider survey of what is known about the problem.
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| Customer Reviews:
Essential background information on old, unsolved problems October 31, 2002
Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com))
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
If progress towards the solution of the unsolved problems is to be continuous, then those in the field must be reminded on a regular basis. Furthermore, it is pretty clear that many of these problems will not be solved using "traditional" approaches, but by some sort of back or side door method. Therefore, those in other areas of mathematics need to see the unsolved problems presented. One never knows when someone working in an area that appears to be unrelated will read a problem and realize that what they are doing can be used to obtain a solution.
This work not only presents the problems, but also gives enough background to allow the non-specialist to understand them. Several leading theorems and their proofs are given, all in a clear, concise style. Many exercises are given at the end of sections, with hints toward solution at the back of the book.
The methods used would also allow this book to be used as a text in an advanced undergraduate colloquium or beginning graduate seminar in the golden oldies of mathematics. The competent undergraduate will have no difficulty comprehending the majority of the material.
An excellent addition to any collection, this book is a key. For it is clear that many of the unsolved problems will be defeated by one who never started with that intent, but saw the problem and had the correct leap of insight.Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.
Were to Find a Math Problem July 4, 2007
Trurl (Earth)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I admit I didn't read the entire book. But don't think that discredits my review. You see this is a special math book... One that you don't read cover to cover. You simply skim through the book and pick a unsolved problem that interest you. So you see it isn't read cover to cover like a textbook. And that is what makes this such an excellent math book. The book isn't about remembering rules it is about problem solving. And the organization of the book helps in gathering facts and understanding how others have approached the problem.
Unsolved problems is part of what mathematics are based on. Most of the content is easy to understand at undergraduate level. For fun I recommend only reading the problem's description and do your own research and later compare it to the second section of the book. I have worked on Prime numbers and have made some progress. (Just check my profile.) Math work does not get done without math problems. So if you are looking for a learning experience this is an excellent place to start.
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