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Hex

The Full Story
By Ryan B. Hayward and Bjarne Toft
Series: AK Peters/CRC Recreational Mathematics Series
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Hex: The Full Story explores the intriguing history and mathematical depth of the board game Hex, discovered independently by Piet Hein in 1942 and John F. Nash in 1949. The book uncovers the origins behind Hein's Danish newspaper puzzles, the contributions of notable figures like Martin Gardner and Claude Shannon, and reveals strategies for mastering the game. It also includes new documents, numerous puzzles and solutions, and chapters on related games and computer Hex. Ideal as a study guide or supplementary educational text in game theory, discrete maths, computer science, or science history.
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Format: Hardback
$41200
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Recommended for hobbyists, educators, students, and professionals interested in board games, game theory, discrete mathematics, computing, or the history of games. Suitable as a resource for courses or personal study in these fields.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Written for a wide audience, this is the full story of Hex, inside and out, with all its twists and turns: Hein’s creation, Lindhard’s puzzles, Nash’s proofs, Gale’s Bridg-it, the game of Rex, Shannon’s machines, Bridg-it’s fall, Hex’s resilience, Hex theory, the hunt for winning strategies, and the rise of Hexbots.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Hex: The Full Story is for anyone - hobbyist, professional, student, teacher - who enjoys board games, game theory, discrete math, computing, or history. Hex was discovered twice, in 1942 by Piet Hein and again in 1949 by John F. Nash. How did this happen? Who created the puzzle for Hein's Danish newspaper column? How are Martin Gardner, David Gale, Claude Shannon, and Claude Berge involved? What is the secret to playing Hex well? The answers are inside...

Features

  • New documents on Hein's creation of Hex, the complete set of Danish puzzles, and the identity of their composer.
  • Chapters on Gale's game Bridg-it, the game Rex, computer Hex, open Hex problems, and more.
  • Dozens of new puzzles and solutions.
  • Study guide for Hex players.
  • Supplementary text for a course in game theory, discrete math, computer science, or science history.

Series: AK Peters/CRC Recreational Mathematics Series

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

This thorough and engaging volume tells both the human and mathematical stories behind Hex. It offers meticulous research into the game's origin, enriched by old photographs and detailed narratives. The mathematical aspects include game strategies and comparisons with chess and Go, as well as discussions of computer gameplay. The review from MathSciNet highlights the book's depth and notes that while computers have made strides, human players still hold an edge on larger boards. Overall, it is praised for its clarity and completeness.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780367144258

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 04 February 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: CRC Press

Illustration: 190 Line drawings, black and white; 71 Halftones, black and white; 264 Illustrations, black and white

Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 589g

Pages: 298

Collections

Bjarne Toft Education & Reference Non-Fiction Ryan B. Hayward Science & Nature Series: AK Peters/CRC Recreational Mathematics Series

About the Author

Ryan B. Hayward is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Alberta, Canada.

Bjarne Toft is Professor Emeritus at the Univeristy of Southern Denmark.

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