The Shoelace Book
A Mathematical Guide to the Best (and Worst) Ways to Lace Your Shoes
Published on 30. May 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
125 pages
978-0-8218-3933-1 (ISBN)
Description
Crisscross, zigzag, bowtie, devil, angel, or star: which are the longest, the shortest, the strongest, and the weakest lacings? Pondering the mathematics of shoelaces, the author paints a vivid picture of the simple, beautiful, and surprising characterizations of the most common shoelace patterns. The mathematics involved is an attractive mix of combinatorics and elementary calculus. This book will be enjoyed by mathematically minded people for as long as there are shoes to lace. Burkard Polster is a well-known mathematical juggler, magician, origami expert, bubble-master, shoelace charmer, and 'Count von Count' impersonator. His previous books include ""A Geometrical Picture Book"", ""The Mathematics of Juggling"", and ""QED: Beauty in Mathematical Proof"". Want to learn more about knot theory? See ""The Knot Book"" by Colin Adams and ""Knots and Links"" by Dale Rolfsen. To read a review published in the ""Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society"", click here.
More details
Series
Edition
illustrated Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Providence
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations
Weight
268 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8218-3933-1 (9780821839331)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Setting the stage One-column lacings Counting lacings The shortest lacings Variations on the shortest lacing problem The longest lacings The strongest lacings The weakest lacings Related mathematics Loose ends References Index.