John Horton Conway Books

Start with a single shape. Repeat it in some way―translation, reflection over a line, rotation around a point―and you have created symmetry. Symmetry is a fundamental phenomenon in art, science, and nature that has been captured, described, and analyzed using mathematical concepts for a long time. Inspired by the geometric intuition of Bill Thurston and empowered by his own analytical skills, John Conway, with his coauthors, has developed a comprehensive mathematical theory of symmetry that allows the description and classification of symmetries in numerous geometric environments. This richly and compellingly illustrated book addresses the phenomenological, analytical, and mathematical aspects of symmetry on three levels that build on one another and will speak to interested lay people, artists, working mathematicians, and researchers.

The Book of Numbers lets readers of all levels of mathematical sophistication (or lack thereof) understand the origins, patterns, and interrelationships of different numbers. Whether it is a visualization of the Catalan numbers or an explanation of how the Fibonacci numbers occur in nature, there is something in here to delight everyone. The diagrams and pictures, many of which are in color, make this book particularly appealing and fun. A few of the discussions may be confusing to those who are not adept mathematicians; those who are may be irked that certain facts are mentioned without an accompanying proof. Nonetheless, The Book of Numbers will succeed in infecting any reader with an enthusiasm for numbers.

This classic on games and how to play them intelligently is being re-issued in a new, four volume edition. This book has laid the foundation to a mathematical approach to playing games. The wise authors wield witty words, which wangle wonderfully winning ways. In Volume 1, the authors do the Spade Work, presenting theories and techniques to "dissect" games of varied structures and formats in order to develop winning strategies.

Kniha ukazuje jakým směrem se ubírat, kam napřímit své myšlení a jak hledat nové pohledy při řešení matematických problémů. Autor provází čtenáře úskalími mentálních a logických kroků, které je třeba při tom podniknout. Na praktických příkladech, často i nematematické povahy, vysvětluje problematiku převádění omezujících podmínek na jednotlivé kroky řešení. Polya v jasném a poutavém textu opravdu brilantním způsobem odhaluje podstatné a jde přímo k jádru problému. Publikace není určena jen učitelům matematiky, ale své si v ní najdou i například žáci středních škol. Učí jak překonávat těžkosti a překážky při cestě k cíli, který není v danou chvíli zřejmý a lehce dosažitelný.