Mathematical Puzzles: Ant Other Brain Twisters

by Anthony S. Filipiak

This delightful little book is devoted to the making and solving of mechanical puzzles of all sorts, mostly of the mathematical or geometrical variety. The author illustrates each puzzle, showing how it can be constructed with simple materials and tools. Step by step, he leads the reader through each stage of making the puzzle, then he presents the problem and offers the solution. A total of 100 puzzles make up this fascinating book, enough to challenge the skill of young or old for many delightful hours. While the appeal is especially for young people, these puzzles are d to entertain and baffle the young in heart as well.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Charles]

This is not the typical book of puzzles based on words or the making of marks on paper. Nearly all of the puzzles are made of carved wood with peg, string or wire accessories. Therefore, some craft skill is needed to create the puzzle, while other skills are necessary if you are to solve it. Many of the puzzles are non-trivial in the creation of the solution.
Solutions to the puzzles are given and are sometimes lengthy. For example, the solution to the “Sixteen Pegs Checker Board Puzzle” has 15 moves while the solution to the “’Checkers’ Checker Board Puzzle” is 30 moves long. The solution to the “Twelve Colored and Numbered Peg Circle Puzzle” is constructed of 118 moves.
If you are looking for puzzles with manipulatives in the physical sense, then this book contains some real jewels. As a bonus, you will need to take on the role of a precision woodworker. Some of them will keep you busy for a while.

[Thom Dunn]

Checker-board puzzles, string puzzles, topological nightmares.