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A review by gautamgopalk
Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions by Frederick Mosteller
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is a fun book of puzzles and riddles that are actually problems in probability. While the title is Fifty Challenging Problems in Probability with Solutions, there are fifty six problems which the author concedes in the preface to the book. Given that the book was originally published in 1965, the brain teasers feel timeless and it is encouraging to find complete solutions (and discussions) printed at the end of the book. The one place where the book feels old is when Fermat's last theorem in the form of Molina's urns is stated as unsolved while it has been solved (in 1995).
One can enjoy this work with elementary understanding of probability and combinatorics. The problems are helpfully grouped together where it makes sense. While not all problems might be challenging, there are some truly involved questions and a handful of open ended questions that are exciting to ponder upon. This is a nice refresher for people wanting to think about mathematically inclined riddles as the material captures the zeitgeist of probabilistic puzzles.
One can enjoy this work with elementary understanding of probability and combinatorics. The problems are helpfully grouped together where it makes sense. While not all problems might be challenging, there are some truly involved questions and a handful of open ended questions that are exciting to ponder upon. This is a nice refresher for people wanting to think about mathematically inclined riddles as the material captures the zeitgeist of probabilistic puzzles.