Aha! Insight

by Martin Gardner

Mathematical puzzles are designed to strengthen creative problem-solving by encouraging the discovery of simple solutions to seemingly complex problems

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Nonfiction, Puzzles, Logic, Popular Science, Reference

179 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

Martin Gardner was an American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing micromagic, stage magic, literature (especially the writings of Lewis Carroll), philosophy, scientific skepticism, and religion. He wrote the Mathematical Games column in Scientific American from 1956 to 1981, and published over 70 books.

Reviews

[Robu-sensei · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of puzzles and riddles with simple, but not easily divined, solutions from Martin Gardner, former "Mathematical Games" columnist for Scientific American (back when it was still very intellectual). Each puzzle is accompanied by both a short, direct explanation and more in-depth discussion generalizing the particular insight to other relevant problems and, in some cases, offering more challenging questions of the same form. Topics range from straight-up mathematics—arithmetic, geometry and number theory—to logic and even word games. These conundrums—and just as much, the abstract, seemingly childish yet sophisticated illustrations—delighted me as a child, though I was a bit young to appreciate their beauty and usefulness.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate math; yet I love this book.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

rereading this one, a fun book,

[Cheryl Leon Levy]

These books teach us different mathematical paradoxes using the cutest little cartoons to make them simple. As a self-diagnosed dyslexic, I appreciate the way this man helps us think!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this and "Aha! Gotcha": Books of paradoxes, fallacies, puzzles, and just plain fascinating ideas. Gardner has written hundreds of great columns on mathematical ideas for Scientific American, as well as a huge number of excellent books on math, science, pseudoscience, magic, and much else. These two are great books for that clever kid you know, age nine and up. They're almost a "best of" collection of many of the topics he's written about before in his columns, distilled down to their essence.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good coverage of interesting ideas and little problems. Well written, focusing on lateral thinking for a lot of the questions (as the title may suggest). Sometimes feels to avoid larger ideas or talk only in brief about them, which might be purposeful given the wide target audience.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of Martin Gardner. Simply outstanding!

[Tor Lundgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lot of nice brain-teasers in here, and amusing illustrations.