Newswise — The September 2014 College Mathematics Journal (CMJ) continues the tradition, begun in 2013, of kicking off the school year with papers about games and puzzles. This year the focus is Rubik's cube, invented by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik 40 years ago.
Tom Rokicki, instrumental in the recent proof that any Rubik's cube configuration can be solved in 20 moves under a particular way of defining moves, offers an update on work toward the analogous result for a competing notion of move.
David Joyner provides a summary and history of that "God's number is 20" result intertwined with a biography of Rokicki.
Michael Jones and two students answer related questions for the puzzle Rubik's Slide, while Cal Armstrong and Susan Goldstine review the exhibit "Beyond Rubik's Cube," on display at Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center through November.
Rubik’s cube not your thing? Never fear. The September CMJ also includes articles discussing the prehistory of Nim, the connection between Mancala and Nim, and a more nuanced collection of Knights and Knaves puzzles. And for those who would rather do than read this fall, editor Brian Hopkins has included a crossword puzzle and, he promises, "other challenging entertainments." Enjoy!
About The College Mathematics Journal: The College Mathematics Journal is designed to enhance classroom learning and stimulate thinking regarding undergraduate mathematics. It publishes articles, short Classroom Capsules, problems, solutions, media reviews, and other pieces. All are aimed at the college mathematics curriculum with emphasis on topics taught in the first two years. The MAA publishes five issues of the CMJ per year.
About MAA: The Mathematical Association of America is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Formed in 1915, the association members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists; statisticians; and many others in academia, government, business, and industry who are interested in the mathematical sciences.
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