The Joy of Set - by Liz McMahon & Gary Gordon & Hannah Gordon & Rebecca Gordon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A mathematical exploration of the popular card game SET

Have you ever played the addictive card game SET? Have you ever wondered about the connections between games and mathematics? If the answer to either question is "yes," then The Joy of SET is the book for you! The Joy of SET takes readers on a fascinating journey into this seemingly simple card game and reveals its surprisingly deep and diverse mathematical dimensions. Absolutely no mathematical background is necessary to enjoy this book--all you need is a sense of curiosity and adventure! The first book devoted to the mathematics of one of today's most popular card games, The Joy of SET will entertain and enlighten the game enthusiast in all of us.

Review Quotes

"The Joy of SET uses a popular and very simple card game as a springboard for a whirlwind tour through probability, combinatorics, finite geometries, and experimental mathematics. Whether or not you play SET, you'll find a lot of great math to play with in this book."--Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking

"A model of mathematical exposition. The quality of writing is consistently high: clear but not condescending, humorous, chatty, and a genuine pleasure to read."--Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews

"The book shows how budding interest in mathematics can be fostered and developed."--Alexander Bogomolny, Cut the Knot

"What I love about The Joy of SET is that it is written in such a way that it can be read and enjoyed by both SET enthusiasts and someone that has never played SET before."--Sarah Carter, Math Equals Love

"As the authors convincingly demonstrate . . . the mathematics behind SET actually goes very deep."--Brent Yorgey, Math Less Traveled

About the Author

Liz McMahon and Gary Gordon are professors of mathematics at Lafayette College. Hannah Gordon is a SET Grand Master and currently works for the New York City Department of Education. Rebecca Gordon teaches upper-level math at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, California. As a family, the coauthors have played SET together for more than twenty years.