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Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers Paul J. Nahin

Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers By Paul J. Nahin

Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers by Paul J. Nahin


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Summary

This collection of 21 puzzles encourages the reader to think about the laws of probability. Games of Russian roulette, the accumulation of insects on flypaper and the probability of it snowing on your birthday in any given year, all reveal dimensions to the workings of probability.

Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers Summary

Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers by Paul J. Nahin

What are your chances of dying on your next flight, being called for jury duty, or winning the lottery? We all encounter probability problems in our everyday lives. In this collection of 212 puzzles, the author challenges us to think creatively about the laws of probability as they apply in playful, sometimes deceptive, ways to a fascinating array of speculative situations. Games of Russian roulette, problems involving the accumulation of insects on flypaper; and strategies for determining the odds of the underdog winning the World Series all reveal intriguing dimensions to the working of probability. Over the years, the author, a veteran writer and teacher of the subject, has collected these and other favourite puzzles designed to instruct and entertain math enthusiasts of all backgrounds. If idiots A and B alternately take aim at each other with a six-shot revolver containing one bullet, what is the probability idiot A will win? what are the chance it will snow on your birthday in any given year? how can researchers use coin flipping and the laws of probability to obtain honest answers to embarrassing survey questions? The solutions are presented here in detail, and many contain a profound element of surprise. And some puzzles are beautiful illustrations of basic mathematical concepts: The Blind Spider and the Fly, for example, is a clever variation of a random walk problem,, and Duelling Idiots and The Underdog and the World Series are straightforward introductions to binomial distributions. Written in an informal way and containing a plethora of interesting historical materials, this book should be of interest for those who are fascinated by mathematics and the role it plays in everyday life and in our imaginations.

Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers Reviews

Nahin's sophisticated puzzles, and their accompanying explanations, have a far better than even chance of fascinating and preoccupying the mathematically literate readership they seek. * Publisher's Weekly *
An entertaining, thought-provoking collection of twenty-one puzzles. . . .These puzzles invite the reader to think intuitively, mathematically, and creatively about the laws of probability as they apply in lighthearted, often counterintuitive ways to a diverse collection of practical and speculative situations. * Mathematics Teacher *
By following Nahin's informal style it is possible to set [the examples] up quickly from first principles and slip them into courses on calculus, algebra, or scientific programming. They also offer a wealth of topics for undergraduate projects. Those duelling idiots are fighting over a goldmine.---Des Higham, MSOR Connections

About Paul J. Nahin

Paul J. Nahin is the best-selling author of many popular math books, including Mrs. Perkins's Electric Quilt, Digital Dice, Dr. Euler's Fabulous Formula, When Least Is Best, and An Imaginary Tale (all Princeton). He is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

Additional information

GOR012008626
9780691009797
0691009791
Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers by Paul J. Nahin
Used - Like New
Hardback
Princeton University Press
20001001
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Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

Customer Reviews - Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers