Game Theory and Recreational Mathematics

A Playful Approach to Problem Solving and Inquiry
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-032-49891-1
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 328 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Reihe: AK Peters/CRC Recreational Mathematics Series

Game Theory and Recreational Mathematics views mathematics through a lens of puzzles and games, with a strong focus on creative problem solving. The book sets the scene for discrete mathematics by introducing mathematical logic and set theory, then it moves on to provide a playful introduction to group theory, combinatorics, graph theory, and combinatorial game theory.

A structured approach to problem solving and mathematical thinking is embedded throughout the book. Mathematical topics are introduced and explored through puzzles and games, providing inquiry-based, active learning opportunities. Recreational mathematics has a long and rich history and culture, explored in an introductory narrative and embedded throughout the book through choice of examples and historical expositions.

The book can be used as self-study material to gain an overview of some mathematics useful for analysing puzzles and games, or it provides teaching material for a playful introduction to mathematical topics highlighting a problem-solving approach. It would support a general university module on discrete mathematics, or the introductory content for a module on group theory, graph theory, or combinatorics.

Features

- Undergraduate level mathematical content is developed through a playful approach, encouraging motivation and inquiry.

- Prompts the development of skills needed by mathematicians in further study and post-graduation.

- Links to history highlight the culture and broader context of mathematics and mathematicians.

- Over 200 exercises with solutions to practice mathematical techniques in an engaging, playful context.

- Extended inquiries provide opportunities for students to take the lead in developing their mathematical skills.

- Topics that lend themselves well to larger projects are proposed as suitable degree capstone projects.

Zielgruppe

Undergraduate Core

Autoren/Hrsg.

Rowlett, Peter

Corner, Alexander S.

Fachgebiete

• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Diskrete Mathematik, Kombinatorik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Populäre Darstellungen der Mathematik
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Pädagogik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Forschung und Information Entscheidungstheorie, Sozialwahltheorie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Operations Research Spieltheorie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Background 2. Problem Solving 3. Logic and Set Theory 4. Group Theory 5. Combinatorics 6. Graph Theory 7. Combinatorial Game Theory 8. Extended Project Briefs 9. Selected Solutions

Über Autor(innen)

Peter Rowlett has taught undergraduate mathematics for 20 years. He currently teaches a range of topics at Sheffield Hallam University including game theory and recreational mathematics, introduction to problem solving and proof, and history of mathematics. He has held various roles in the mathematical community, including as Vice President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and Deputy Chair of the Mathematics, Statistics and OR Advisory Group at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. He is currently Editor of The Mathematical Gazette, a teaching association journal which has published mathematical content since 1894, Co-Chair of a Topic Study Group on recreational mathematics for the 16th International Congress of Mathematics, and a member of the steering group of the MathsJam international recreational mathematics network. He has written more than 200 articles, mostly educational research but also on history of mathematics in Nature and a regular column ‘Mathematics of Life’ in New Scientist. He has written puzzles for New Scientist, The Sunday Times, and The Guardian.

Alexander Corner is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and has taught undergraduate mathematics for 15 years. He is an active researcher in the fields of mathematics education, with interests in student identity and understanding, and category theory, where he studies monoidal categories, operads, and higher categories. He is currently the local representative for the London Mathematical Society at Sheffield Hallam University. A large amount of his teaching is delivered to students on computing degrees, involving a substantial amount of discrete mathematics and cryptography.