The Puzzling Adventures of Dr. Ecco


Book Description

Join math detective in solving nearly 40 puzzles inspired by methods in computer science and mathematics. The Tower of Lego, Odd Doors Problem, Spies and Double Agents, many more. Solutions.




Puzzling Adventures: Tales of Strategy, Logic, and Mathematical Skill


Book Description

Hours of recreational reckoning. Collected and enhanced from Dennis Shasha's popular Scientific American column, here are thirty-six of the most innovative and emotive mathematical puzzles ever to appear in its pages. Edgy, challenging and representing the ultimate in recreational mathematical games, Puzzling Adventures dares the reader to work out the logic underlying venture fund investments, escape a Minotaur, catch a polar bear, play power politics, work out if a witness is lying, spy on contraband traders and verify DNA. An encrypted set of stories and commentary float above the puzzles. They need decrypting to discover their hints. The hints lead to a surprise—if the reader can work them out.




Codes, Puzzles, and Conspiracy


Book Description

Follows detective Dr. Ecco through a series of logic and mathematical problems




S.M.A.R.T. Circle Projects


Book Description

This book describes projects in a Mathematical “Circle,” i.e., an organization that discovers and nurtures young mathematical talents through meaningful extra-curricular activities. This is the second volume in a trilogy describing in particular the S.M.A.R.T. Circle project, which was founded in Edmonton, Canada in 1981. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for Saturday Mathematical Activities, Recreations & Tutorials. This book, Volume II, is based on the papers published in scientific and education journals by the Circle members while they were still in junior high school (some still in elementary school). In essence, it explains the purpose of the Circle. Volume I describes how to run a Circle, and Volume III explains what actually takes place in the Circle. All three volumes provide a wealth of resources (mathematical problems, quizzes and games, together with their solutions). The books will be of interest to self-motivated students who want to conduct independent research, teachers who work with these students, and teachers who are currently running or planning to run Mathematical Circles of their own.




Dr. Ecco


Book Description

The heroic Dr. Ecco uncovers a fiendish plot in this collection of original puzzles inspired by research methods of computer science and mathematics. No sophisticated mathematical background necessary. Solutions.




Out of Their Minds


Book Description

Out of their minds and the force of their imagination, men have created countless beings, from demons and monsters of legend to comic-strip characters. What if their world were real - if dragons, devils and Don Quixote hobnobbed with Dagwood Bumstead and Charlie Brown? Such a world would have its fascinations . . . and its dreadful perils - if it existed. Horton Smith found out that it did - and that he was right in the middle of it!




Dr. Ecco: Mathematical Detective


Book Description

DIVThe heroic Dr. Ecco uncovers a fiendish plot in this collection of original puzzles inspired by research methods of computer science and mathematics. No sophisticated mathematical background necessary. Solutions. /div




Puzzles for Programmers and Pros


Book Description

Aimed at both working programmers who are applying for a job where puzzles are an integral part of the interview, as well as techies who just love a good puzzle, this book offers a cache of exciting puzzles Features a new series of puzzles, never before published, called elimination puzzles that have a pedagogical aim of helping the reader solve an entire class of Sudoku-like puzzles Provides the tools to solve the puzzles by hand and computer The first part of each chapter presents a puzzle; the second part shows readers how to solve several classes of puzzles algorithmically; the third part asks the reader to solve a mystery involving codes, puzzles, and geography Comes with a unique bonus: if readers actually solve the mystery, they have a chance to win a prize, which will be promoted on wrox.com!







Doctor Ecco's Cyberpuzzles: 36 Puzzles for Hackers and Other Mathematical Detectives


Book Description

"Dennis Shasha is the absolute best puzzle writer alive."—David Gelernter, professor of computer science, Yale University In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Ecco is one of the greatest sleuths of our time, a mathematical wizard who uses logic and computer programming to solve crimes, find treasures, and explore space. Join his team, expand the frontiers of your knowledge, and match wits with him on intriguing cases like "The Virus from the Spy" and "The Secrets of Space" and "The Caribou and the Gas." The puzzles collected here require no formal background beyond arithmetic and elementary algebra—just lively curiosity and keen intelligence. With thirty-six illustrated cases organized around eight major mathematical themes (from Combinatorial Geometry and Geography to Ciphers and Secrecy) this book will encourage you to use your mind and your computer in ways you never previously imagined.