SKU: 8803066326

Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved - Revised Color Edition

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Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved - Revised Color EditionOn October 23, 1852, Professor Augustus De Morgan wrote a letter to a colleague, unaware that he was launching one of the most famous mathematical conundrums in history one that would confound thousands of puzzlers for more than a century. This is the amazing story of how the map problem was solved. The problem posed in the letter came from a former student: What is the least possible number of colors needed to fill in any map (real or invented) so

On October 23, 1852, Professor Augustus De Morgan wrote a letter to a colleague, unaware that he was launching one of the most famous mathematical conundrums in history--one that would confound thousands of puzzlers for more than a century. This is the amazing story of how the map problem was solved.

The problem posed in the letter came from a former student: What is the least possible number of colors needed to fill in any map (real or invented) so that neighboring counties are always colored differently? This deceptively simple question was of minimal interest to cartographers, who saw little need to limit how many colors they used. But the problem set off a frenzy among professional mathematicians and amateur problem solvers, among them Lewis Carroll, an astronomer, a botanist, an obsessive golfer, the Bishop of London, a man who set his watch only once a year, a California traffic cop, and a bridegroom who spent his honeymoon coloring maps. In their pursuit of the solution, mathematicians painted maps on doughnuts and horseshoes and played with patterned soccer balls and the great rhombicuboctahedron.

It would be more than one hundred years (and countless colored maps) later before the result was finally established. Even then, difficult questions remained, and the intricate solution--which involved no fewer than 1,200 hours of computer time--was greeted with as much dismay as enthusiasm.

Providing a clear and elegant explanation of the problem and the proof, Robin Wilson tells how a seemingly innocuous question baffled great minds and stimulated exciting mathematics with far-flung applications. This is the entertaining story of those who failed to prove, and those who ultimately did prove, that four colors do indeed suffice to color any map.

This new edition features many color illustrations. It also includes a new foreword by Ian Stewart on the importance of the map problem and how it was solved.-- "Booklist"

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 11/10/2013
ISBN: 9780691158228
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.33h x 6.13w x 0.47d
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SKU: 8803066326

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These pillows are very comfortable and maintain their shape. Quality is as described at a comfortable price for the quality! The pillows are comfortable; not overly firm nor flat. The density is medium and supportive; very comfortable!
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These pillows are well made. Firm, yet comfortable. I am pretty rough with my pillows. I toss and turn frequently. After one year, they are still holding up.
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Quite good. I am actually surprised. Too small for queensize
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These pillows are actually good. After reading a ton of reviews I pulled the trigger on these. I was 100% sure I was going to receive bad quality pillows (too flat or too thick). They do take 24-48 hours to firmen up. Let's see if they flatten out in a few weeks or if they hold up. My wife said the pillow was too thick and it raised her head too much. I don't agree, I sleep perfect on these, no neck pain in the morning. Update 04/24 These are actually quite small to be considered queen pillows. They have become firm over the last few days.
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Full, Fluffy & Perfectly Supportive Euro Pillows!
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These Euro size pillow inserts are fantastic! They’re soft, full, fluffy, and hold their shape very well. The firmness is perfect — supportive without feeling too hard. They filled my pillow covers beautifully and made the bed look much more luxurious. Great quality for the price and very comfortable for lounging or sleeping. Very happy with this purchase!
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WOW. I was really skeptical, but the other reviews are spot on: these are amazing firm pillows. I really hope they don't lose their firmness and become lumpy like other pillows tend to do. Excellent pillows for the price!!
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