Cows in the Maze: And Other Mathematical Explorations

by Ian Stewart

Following on the success of his books Math Hysteria and How to Cut a Cake , Ian Stewart is back with more stories and puzzles that are as quirky as they are fascinating, and each from the cutting edge of the world of mathematics.
From the math of mazes, to cones with a twist, and the amazing sphericon--and how to make one-- Cows in the Maze takes readers on an exhilarating tour of the world of mathematics. We find out about the mathematics of time travel, explore the shape of teardrops (which are not tear-drop shaped, but something much, much more strange), dance with dodecahedra, and play the game of Hex, among many more strange and delightful mathematical diversions. In the title essay, Stewart introduces readers to Robert Abbott's mind-bending "Where Are the Cows?" maze, which changes every time you pass through it, and is said to be the most difficult maze ever invented. In addition, he shows how a 90-year old woman and a computer scientist cracked a long-standing question about counting magic squares, describes the mathematical patterns in animal movement (walk, trot, gallop), looks at a fusion of art, mathematics, and the physics of sand piles, and reveals how mathematicians can --and do--prove a
negative.
Populated by amazing creatures, strange characters, and astonishing mathematics explained in an accessible and fun way, and illustrated with quirky cartoons by artist Spike Gerrell, Cows in the Maze will delight everyone who loves mathematics, puzzles and mathematical conundrums.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Nonfiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

Ian Nicholas Stewart is an Emeritus Professor and Digital Media Fellow in the Mathematics Department at Warwick University, with special responsibility for public awareness of mathematics and science. He is best known for his popular science writing on mathematical themes.
--from the author's website

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Mishehu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book is a collection of disappointing short pop math pieces. Some of the problems Stewart poses are new, others old. In both cases, his treatments offer few insights. And the exposition is weak. Stewart leaves too much to the imagination, and his attempts at humor are lame. Stewart may be a fine mathematician. This particular recreational math book, though, I thought was very mediocre.

[Yofish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of math essays from Scientific American. Stewart sits in the chair that Martin Gardner once filled.

The problem with this book is that too many of these essays are just too short, so he didn't get a chance to say anything interesting (to me). Also, several of them were just on topics that didn't interest me much. (Dancing and string? Three consecutive on time travel.) Seems like when you put it in book form, you should add a little more depth. There didn't really seem to be a good reason for "writing" this book. The actual "Cow in the Maze" chapter was interesting---sort of a new form of maze. But I didn't have the patience to actually understand and try to solve the maze.

I didn't hate it, but I can't really recommend it either.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Columns from Scientific american on mathematical topics.
Good, not great.

[Maurizio Codogno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terza (e ultima) raccolta degli articoli di Ian Stewart sullo Scientific American (e sulla versione francese Pour la Science - non so voi, ma a me il pensiero che la rubrica di giochi matematici sullo Scientific American fosse divenuta bimestrale e che sono state le versioni nazionali a mantenere alta la bandiera della matematica ricreativa fa un po' di tristezza), in questo libro troviamo quello che ci si può aspettare da un testo del genere: capitoli generalmente scorrelati, tranne il trittico sui viaggi nel tempo che in effetti sono l'espansione di un'unica colonna piuttosto lunga nell'originale, e che toccano più o meno tutti i campi, data la pervasività della matematica che i non matematici credono essere incredibile ma che in effetti per i matematici è una cosa assolutamente normale. Questo significa che ci sono capitoli (quello sulle figure di corda e sulle danze) che per me sono assolutamente inutili e altri (chessò, quello sui quadrati più che magici o sui percorsi dei cavalli su scacchiere rettangolari) il cui approccio è molto più interessante di quello che si trova in giro solitamente. Altra cosa molto bella è la sezione finale di ogni capitolo con la sitografia: perché diciamocelo, oggi come oggi il libro è il punto di partenza, non certo l'arrivo. In definitiva: carino, ma direi non essenziale.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of short articles about various topics in mathematics.

[Alok · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a joy to read. It has lots of fun mathematical ideas and puzzles, as well as games that you can play by yourself or with our kids.

[Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite entertaining.