Back

In progress ....

Course Content:  

Required Texts:
Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics, Dover Edition, Averbach and Chen, 2000. Online
The Lady or the Tiger & Other Logic Puzzles,  - Raymond Smullyan, Dover, 2009 Online

Course Description:

An exploration of mathematical puzzles, games, and pastimes through the ages including the meanderings of famous people like Charles Dodgson, a.k.a. Lewis Carroll. Topics in recreational mathematics: problem solving techniques, logic, puzzles, cryptarithmetic, games of chance and strategy, game theory for decision making, probability and risk assessment.

In 1917 H. E. Dudeney wrote, “Every puzzle that is worthy of consideration can be referred to mathematics and logic. Every man, woman, and child who tried to ‘reason out’ the answer to the simplest puzzle is working, though not necessarily consciously, on mathematical lines.” Do you enjoy puzzles, want to know the history of puzzles and games, or want to know what game theory is about? Then, follow Alice down the proverbial rabbit hole for a challenging and fun adventure in Puzzle-Land. Meet people such as Carroll, Dudeney, and Martin Gardner as you develop your problem solving techniques.

Goals:

Problem solving is stimulating and can be a fun way to pass the time. Sometimes you see a solution quickly and other times you need to methodically work through the problem. No matter what, the eventual solution can spark some satisfaction. In this course we will explore different types of problems and solution methods.

Problem solving has been around a long time and many interesting problems do not need sophisticated tools. We will visit some ancient problems and some interesting personalities along the way. We will begin with simply stated problems requiring no mathematics and work our way from problems of logic to number problems, games of strategy and puzzles. 

We all like to solve puzzles or play games? Supposedly, the famous Leibniz remarked, "I strongly approve the study of games of reason, not for their own sake, but because they help to perfect the art of thinking." He commented on the game of GO, “I easily believe that the magnitude of the Board and the quantity of pieces render this game quite ingenious and quite difficult." In this course, we will challenge you to have fun while learning about the mathematics of entertaining subjects as you enhance your creative thinking skills.

Learning Outcomes: you will

1. Demonstrate skills in approaching recreational puzzles involving logic, numbers, and games.
2. Recall famous problems from history.
3. Identify the accomplishments of famous recreational mathematicians.
4. Demonstrate the logical analysis of sentences.
5. Apply basic tools from the course.
6. Apply game theory strategies.

Web Pages/Email:

This syllabus as well as a variety of other relevant information for this class is posted on the internet. The website is located at

http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/puzzles

You are encouraged to log onto this page often to check the assignments, read text material, listen to videos, and read about related topics and further examples. You will need to continually watch for additions, changes, and announcements for the class. So, make it a habit to go to the web site and read something different.

Advice for Success:  

In order to learn the material in this course and earn a good grade, you need to put in some effort. Do not put off assignments or reading. If you do not understand something, ask the instructor. Come to office hours, use the email, ask knowledgeable students, or go to the library/internet and find supplementary material. You are expected to not only listen to the lectures. You will get to participate in problem solving both individually and in groups. Additional material will be placed at the course website: http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/puzzles.

Course Requirements:

Assignments: Assignments will be collected on a regular basis and you will be told when the work is due. As doing homework is very important for learning the material in this course, it will count as 30% of your grade. Late homework is subject to a 10% penalty.

Papers and Presentations: There will be opportunities to investigate the historical puzzles and personalities of puzzle masters and to write communicate what you have learned. This will make up 20% of the course grade.

Attendance: YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL OF THE CLASSES! After three excused absences there will be a penalty of 2% for each absence from your total grade.

Exams and Grades: There will be two exams in this course. The tentative dates for the exams are below. Also, we will have presentations during the final slot.

Your final grade will be based on the following:

This syllabus is subject to change!
__________________________________________________

Academic Honor Code:

All members of UNCW's community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW's position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else's ideas and represent them as your own.

Student Disabilities: UNCW Disability Services supplies information about disability law, documentation procedures and accommodations that can be found at http://uncw.edu/disability/. To obtain accommodations the student should first contact Disability Services and present their documentation to the coordinator for review and verification.

COVID Guidelines

TBA.