Impossible Folding Puzzles and Other Mathematical Paradoxes

The book has plenty of intriguing puzzles that seem easily created for object lessons for those of all ages.

Wow! Origami, geometry, math, and optical illusions...what's not to like (love)?
I was going to quickly browse through, but ended up reading the whole book. Now I can't wait for the weekend, or some other big chunk of time, so I can make a second pass and actually DO these puzzles. Hours and hours of entertainment for adults and kids.

Impossible Folding Puzzles and Other Mathematical Paradoxes is an excellent book of paper puzzles. This is the perfect boredom buster for summer. Also, this could be used in many class rooms around the globe. I remember many of these puzzles used when I was in school, and I loved it, and thought the world of my teacher who showed them to me. It takes time to understand the puzzles and how to cut them out, luckily, there is step by step instructions along with pictures for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy time with your kids and make the time fun for them, and teach them how to solve equations without all the boring homework they always complain about. I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Intriguing paper folding puzzles and other mathematical puzzles fill the pages of this fun-filled book. From the simple to the complex, this book contains directions and illustrations for puzzles that will astound your friends and you too! I think this book would be a fun addition to a classroom or homeschool collection. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

√ "Instill a Sense of Wonder"

So says the author of this fun little book of surprisingly-difficult puzzles. The author wants us to appreciate the fun and amazement of these fun problems. The whole point of this work is to show the reader that sometimes things that look trivial are actually very difficult, and that sometimes just a creative approach is needed. (See the "Quarter through the Hole" puzzle, or the "Missing Number" puzzle for good examples of that.)

Sometimes, the author explains, we just aren't focusing on the the right thing: "Problems Can Often be Reduced to a Problem of Attention or Misdirection," and "We Often Confuse Inability with Impossibility." I like the optimistic approach in this book--we CAN solve them! (Well, except for the ones that really are impossible.)

The book is divided into three types of puzzles: Topology, Geometry, and "Numerical, Sequential, and Combinatory Puzzles." Just the title of that last section had me baffled. There is a good Table of Contents that lists all of the puzzles.

► WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK ◄
If you are the type of person who is always working puzzles, Sudoku, or mathematical riddles, this is the book for you!

► THINGS I LIKED THE MOST ◄
♦ I like the idea of getting exposed to different perspectives--different ways of trying to solve a problem. For example, pushing that quarter through the hole in an unexpected way ("That's Cheating!")
♦ I thought the illustrations were very good. For example, the intricate folding diagram shown in Figure 3, is nicely done, as are the variety of geometrical figures shown.
♦ Good encouragement to think "outside the box" and push our minds to try to look at something in a novel way.

► QUALITY OF EDITING ◄
♦ Everything looks very polished. I could spot no format errors.

√ Recommend! This is a well-designed book, with lots of puzzles and paradoxes to keep the puzzler occupied for hours!

♫ A Review by Chris Lawson

► Note: I do not personally know the author of this book, nor has anyone requested I write this review.

This book was exactly what the title advertises it to be...a great collection of mathematical folding puzzles. As a middle school math teacher, I read this book with the intent of finding something that I could use to elevate student interest in mathematics, particularly geometry, and the content of this book is exactly what I was looking for. I do think that this book is one that is better purchased in print than eBook format.

Great for team building events, parties and fun evenings with friends!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

This isn't a booklet you read in one go. I noticed that I would start to get distracted after about two every time, so it took me some time to finish it. I thought there were some interesting puzzles in it, some that you could use as a magic trick on a Birthday party perhaps.

If you want to really do them well, you'll have to build the puzzles first, but that's something I don't have the patience for. It was a nice enough book, but not really something for me in the end.

I went through this book with one of my younger cousins and we enjoyed recreating each puzzle. This book is definitely a must for all families. Enjoy countless hours of entertainment with your children.