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Adventures in Group Theory: Rubik's Cube, Merlin's Machine, and Other Mathematical Toys
Joyner, David. 2002. 262 pages.
Categories: Mathematics, Top Picks |
If you want to understand cryptography, you’ll need some good background in group theory. You might as well learn how to solve permutation-based puzzles in the process. I slowly worked through ever page of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It also helps that I own all the puzzles discussed in the book (hockypuck, Rubik’s Domino, Masterball, Pyraminx, Rubik’s 2x2, Rubik’s 3x3, Skweb, Megaminx, Merlin’s Magic, Lights Out, Orbix, Rubik’s Clock, and the Rubicon). If you’re going to work through all the mathematics (highly recommended), then make sure you print out a copy of the errata page and keep it with the book.
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