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Master Sun’s Problem: A Mathematical Epic 2,000 Years in the Making
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26A captivating account of how a one-time mathematician cracked a two-thousand-year-old problem and rediscovered the joys of mathematics in the process
Master Sun’s problem—first posed by Sun Bin, a Chinese military strategist and supposed descendent of Sun Tzu, the legendary author of The Art of War—is an ancient strategy question whose elegant simplicity conceals a fiendishly difficult mathematical puzzle. The problem was largely ignored for two thousand years until a college friend of Dana Mackenzie revived it—and in doing so, rekindled Mackenzie’s passion for mathematics.
Master Sun’s Problem is Mackenzie’s entertaining account of how, to his own amazement, he solved this tantalizing problem. Mackenzie, a former math professor turned science writer, describes every unexpected twist and turn, and provides advice, explanations, and plenty of examples for math lovers of all ages who want to try their own hand at discovering something new. Along the way, he traces the history of the problem and busts some myths about math and mathematicians, and reveals how the solution received a vital assist from ordinary people—the readers of The New York Times.
An eloquent meditation on the nature and practice of mathematics, Master Sun’s Problem is a story of the uncommon pleasures of mathematical exploration and a unique testament to the power of collaboration and tenacious curiosity.
Master Sun’s problem—first posed by Sun Bin, a Chinese military strategist and supposed descendent of Sun Tzu, the legendary author of The Art of War—is an ancient strategy question whose elegant simplicity conceals a fiendishly difficult mathematical puzzle. The problem was largely ignored for two thousand years until a college friend of Dana Mackenzie revived it—and in doing so, rekindled Mackenzie’s passion for mathematics.
Master Sun’s Problem is Mackenzie’s entertaining account of how, to his own amazement, he solved this tantalizing problem. Mackenzie, a former math professor turned science writer, describes every unexpected twist and turn, and provides advice, explanations, and plenty of examples for math lovers of all ages who want to try their own hand at discovering something new. Along the way, he traces the history of the problem and busts some myths about math and mathematicians, and reveals how the solution received a vital assist from ordinary people—the readers of The New York Times.
An eloquent meditation on the nature and practice of mathematics, Master Sun’s Problem is a story of the uncommon pleasures of mathematical exploration and a unique testament to the power of collaboration and tenacious curiosity.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Dana Mackenzie
29 books53 followers"Think of what you wanted to do when you were a child, and try to make that happen."
In 1996, I was facing the inevitability of a career change. My teaching appointment at a liberal arts college was running out, and the job market was dismal. One of my contacts gave me the advice above, and as corny as it sounds, it really did put things into perspective for me.
When I was a child, the only thing I wanted to be was a writer. I wrote my first book, "The Littlest Inchwarm" (sic), at age five. In fourth grade, when each student had to write two reports during the year, I wrote 101 (making liberal use of the Encyclopedia Britannica). Yes, I caught the writing bug early.
But how to make it happen? Well, fortunately, I found out about the Science Communication Program at UC Santa Cruz, which provided me the training and, more importantly, the attitude adjustment necessary to make the leap from academia to journalism. After a year as a SciCommie in 1996-97, I was ready to hang out my shingle as a freelance writer, and that has been my career ever since.
Most of my writing has been for popular science magazines (New Scientist, Science, Discover). Recently, I have started to do quite a bit of contract work (National Academy of Sciences, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics). And as you can see from this web page, I also write books.
Because my academic specialty was math, I tend to write about topics that involve mathematics in some way. (But not always! My first book, The Big Splat, or How Our Moon Came to Be, has very little math in it.) I especially like to find what veteran Los Angeles Times journalist K.C. Cole calls "stealth math" -- mathematics hidden in ordinary life, or in other parts of science. I try to break down the barriers that block many people from understanding and appreciating mathematics. My latest book, The Universe in Zero Words, was definitely written with these goals in mind.
I have a wealth of interests besides math and writing. I play chess and write a chess blog (dana blogs chess). I started hula dancing several years ago, a great way of learning about the Hawaiian culture. Also, my wife Kay and I volunteer at the local animal shelter and take foster care of kittens who are too young to adopt. One of them, a big and beautiful and gentle and hug-loving tuxedo cat named Max, stayed with us for keeps.
Sometimes, as I watch deadlines slipping away, I think I should cut back on all these "extracurricular activities," but most of the time I think they help keep me sane. Also, going to the beach (one mile from where I live in Santa Cruz) and watching the waves has a similar effect.
Please visit my home page, http://danamackenzie.com, for more information about me, or go to Max's channel on YouTube if you just want to watch cute kittie videos!
In 1996, I was facing the inevitability of a career change. My teaching appointment at a liberal arts college was running out, and the job market was dismal. One of my contacts gave me the advice above, and as corny as it sounds, it really did put things into perspective for me.
When I was a child, the only thing I wanted to be was a writer. I wrote my first book, "The Littlest Inchwarm" (sic), at age five. In fourth grade, when each student had to write two reports during the year, I wrote 101 (making liberal use of the Encyclopedia Britannica). Yes, I caught the writing bug early.
But how to make it happen? Well, fortunately, I found out about the Science Communication Program at UC Santa Cruz, which provided me the training and, more importantly, the attitude adjustment necessary to make the leap from academia to journalism. After a year as a SciCommie in 1996-97, I was ready to hang out my shingle as a freelance writer, and that has been my career ever since.
Most of my writing has been for popular science magazines (New Scientist, Science, Discover). Recently, I have started to do quite a bit of contract work (National Academy of Sciences, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics). And as you can see from this web page, I also write books.
Because my academic specialty was math, I tend to write about topics that involve mathematics in some way. (But not always! My first book, The Big Splat, or How Our Moon Came to Be, has very little math in it.) I especially like to find what veteran Los Angeles Times journalist K.C. Cole calls "stealth math" -- mathematics hidden in ordinary life, or in other parts of science. I try to break down the barriers that block many people from understanding and appreciating mathematics. My latest book, The Universe in Zero Words, was definitely written with these goals in mind.
I have a wealth of interests besides math and writing. I play chess and write a chess blog (dana blogs chess). I started hula dancing several years ago, a great way of learning about the Hawaiian culture. Also, my wife Kay and I volunteer at the local animal shelter and take foster care of kittens who are too young to adopt. One of them, a big and beautiful and gentle and hug-loving tuxedo cat named Max, stayed with us for keeps.
Sometimes, as I watch deadlines slipping away, I think I should cut back on all these "extracurricular activities," but most of the time I think they help keep me sane. Also, going to the beach (one mile from where I live in Santa Cruz) and watching the waves has a similar effect.
Please visit my home page, http://danamackenzie.com, for more information about me, or go to Max's channel on YouTube if you just want to watch cute kittie videos!
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