false 4996537 1 <P>David Joyner uses mathematical toys such as the Rubik's Cube to make abstract algebra and group theory fun.</P><P>Joyner employs permutation puzzles such as the 15 puzzle, the Rainbow Masterball, the Pyraminx, the Skewb, the Megaminx, Merlin's Machine, and variants of the Rubik's Cube to explain topics in introductory algebra (matrices, combinatorics, and permutations) and group theory (Cayley graphs, symmetries, isomorphisms, wreath products, free groups, and finite fields). Joyner also offers strategies for solving the puzzles.</P><P>The updated second edition uses SAGE, an open-source computer algebra system, to illustrate many of the computations.</P><P>Adventures in Group Theory not only appeals to math enthusiasts but also makes a wonderful supplementary textbook.</P> 5063054 10 10 2008 Adventures in Group Theory: Rubik's Cube, Merlin's Machine, and Other Mathematical Toys total:1|4:1| 1 4 3 1 0 0 false false Thu Aug 27 12:34:49 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 27 12:34:54 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Tue Mar 10 23:01:11 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 10 23:01:29 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue Jan 20 13:49:39 -0800 2009 Fri Jun 12 14:19:01 -0700 2009