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| computer science puzzles: Algorithmic Puzzles Anany Levitin, Maria Levitin, 2011-10-14 Algorithmic puzzles are puzzles involving well-defined procedures for solving problems. This book will provide an enjoyable and accessible introduction to algorithmic puzzles that will develop the reader's algorithmic thinking. The first part of this book is a tutorial on algorithm design strategies and analysis techniques. Algorithm design strategies — exhaustive search, backtracking, divide-and-conquer and a few others — are general approaches to designing step-by-step instructions for solving problems. Analysis techniques are methods for investigating such procedures to answer questions about the ultimate result of the procedure or how many steps are executed before the procedure stops. The discussion is an elementary level, with puzzle examples, and requires neither programming nor mathematics beyond a secondary school level. Thus, the tutorial provides a gentle and entertaining introduction to main ideas in high-level algorithmic problem solving. The second and main part of the book contains 150 puzzles, from centuries-old classics to newcomers often asked during job interviews at computing, engineering, and financial companies. The puzzles are divided into three groups by their difficulty levels. The first fifty puzzles in the Easier Puzzles section require only middle school mathematics. The sixty puzzle of average difficulty and forty harder puzzles require just high school mathematics plus a few topics such as binary numbers and simple recurrences, which are reviewed in the tutorial. All the puzzles are provided with hints, detailed solutions, and brief comments. The comments deal with the puzzle origins and design or analysis techniques used in the solution. The book should be of interest to puzzle lovers, students and teachers of algorithm courses, and persons expecting to be given puzzles during job interviews. |
| computer science puzzles: Programming for the Puzzled Srini Devadas, 2017-11-16 Learning programming with one of “the coolest applications around”: algorithmic puzzles ranging from scheduling selfie time to verifying the six degrees of separation hypothesis. This book builds a bridge between the recreational world of algorithmic puzzles (puzzles that can be solved by algorithms) and the pragmatic world of computer programming, teaching readers to program while solving puzzles. Few introductory students want to program for programming's sake. Puzzles are real-world applications that are attention grabbing, intriguing, and easy to describe. Each lesson starts with the description of a puzzle. After a failed attempt or two at solving the puzzle, the reader arrives at an Aha! moment—a search strategy, data structure, or mathematical fact—and the solution presents itself. The solution to the puzzle becomes the specification of the code to be written. Readers will thus know what the code is supposed to do before seeing the code itself. This represents a pedagogical philosophy that decouples understanding the functionality of the code from understanding programming language syntax and semantics. Python syntax and semantics required to understand the code are explained as needed for each puzzle. Readers need only the rudimentary grasp of programming concepts that can be obtained from introductory or AP computer science classes in high school. The book includes more than twenty puzzles and more than seventy programming exercises that vary in difficulty. Many of the puzzles are well known and have appeared in publications and on websites in many variations. They range from scheduling selfie time with celebrities to solving Sudoku problems in seconds to verifying the six degrees of separation hypothesis. The code for selected puzzle solutions is downloadable from the book's website; the code for all puzzle solutions is available to instructors. |
| computer science puzzles: Bits and Chips Maria Litvin, Gary Litvin, 2021-11-15 |
| computer science puzzles: Puzzles in Logic, Languages and Computation Dragomir Radev, 2013-02-11 This is the second volume of a unique collection that brings together the best English-language problems created for students competing in the Computational Linguistics Olympiad. These problems are representative of the diverse areas presented in the competition and designed with three principles in mind: · To challenge the student analytically, without requiring any explicit knowledge or experience in linguistics or computer science; · To expose the student to the different kinds of reasoning required when encountering a new phenomenon in a language, both as a theoretical topic and as an applied problem; · To foster the natural curiosity students have about the workings of their own language, as well as to introduce them to the beauty and structure of other languages; · To learn about the models and techniques used by computers to understand human language. Aside from being a fun intellectual challenge, the Olympiad mimics the skills used by researchers and scholars in the field of computational linguistics. In an increasingly global economy where businesses operate across borders and languages, having a strong pool of computational linguists is a competitive advantage, and an important component to both security and growth in the 21st century. This collection of problems is a wonderful general introduction to the field of linguistics through the analytic problem solving technique. A fantastic collection of problems for anyone who is curious about how human language works! These books take serious scientific questions and present them in a fun, accessible way. Readers exercise their logical thinking capabilities while learning about a wide range of human languages, linguistic phenomena, and computational models. - Kevin Knight, USC Information Sciences Institute |
| computer science puzzles: Games, Puzzles, and Computation Robert A. Hearn, Erik D. Demaine, 2009-06-30 The authors show that there are underlying mathematical reasons for why games and puzzles are challenging (and perhaps why they are so much fun). They also show that games and puzzles can serve as powerful models of computation-quite different from the usual models of automata and circuits-offering a new way of thinking about computation. The appen |
| computer science puzzles: BASIC Game Plans BAUMANN, 2013-06-29 The computer is a toy tossed to us by Nature for diversion and comfort in the darkness. d'Alembert I hate everything which merely instructs without stimulating me or increasing my own activity. Goethe Let's try to eliminate some misconceptions from the outset: this book is not a collection of game recipes as sembled in the form of finished programs which only have to be typed into the computer and then played. Far from it. The object is to challenge readers to activate their own creativity in using computer games. The game concept is designed to develop into game strategy and this then should form the basis of computer programming. Programming comput ers is in itself the game. Or, to put it another way, read ers can learn programming while playing. No previous knowledge of programming is assumed of readers and users of this book -- only the willingness to accept new ideas and improve upon them independently. While all the programs in this book have been run and tested, some are intentionally imperfect. They await the finishing touches from you, the reader. The additional brainteasers at the end of the chapters (or, occasionally, after a sec tion within a chapter) are therefore designed to inspire your imagination and encourage your independence. The material is drawn from numerous sources. |
| computer science puzzles: Puzzles in Logic, Languages and Computation , 2013-02-09 |
| computer science puzzles: Poems That Solve Puzzles Chris Bleakley, 2020-08-30 Algorithms are the hidden methods that computers apply to process information and make decisions. Nowadays, our lives are run by algorithms. They determine what news we see. They influence which products we buy. They suggest our dating partners. They may even be determining the outcome of national elections. They are creating, and destroying, entire industries. Despite mounting concerns, few know what algorithms are, how they work, or who created them. Poems that Solve Puzzles tells the story of algorithms from their ancient origins to the present day and beyond. The book introduces readers to the inventors and inspirational events behind the genesis of the world's most important algorithms. Professor Chris Bleakley recounts tales of ancient lost inscriptions, Victorian steam-driven contraptions, top secret military projects, penniless academics, hippy dreamers, tech billionaires, superhuman artificial intelligences, cryptocurrencies, and quantum computing. Along the way, the book explains, with the aid of clear examples and illustrations, how the most influential algorithms work. Compelling and impactful, Poems that Solve Puzzles tells the story of how algorithms came to revolutionise our world. |
| computer science puzzles: Puzzles for Programmers and Pros Dennis E. Shasha, 2007-05-07 Aimed at both working programmers who are applying for a job where puzzles are an integral part of the interview, as well as techies who just love a good puzzle, this book offers a cache of exciting puzzles Features a new series of puzzles, never before published, called elimination puzzles that have a pedagogical aim of helping the reader solve an entire class of Sudoku-like puzzles Provides the tools to solve the puzzles by hand and computer The first part of each chapter presents a puzzle; the second part shows readers how to solve several classes of puzzles algorithmically; the third part asks the reader to solve a mystery involving codes, puzzles, and geography Comes with a unique bonus: if readers actually solve the mystery, they have a chance to win a prize, which will be promoted on wrox.com! |
| computer science puzzles: Programming Challenges Steven S Skiena, Miguel A. Revilla, 2006-04-18 There are many distinct pleasures associated with computer programming. Craftsmanship has its quiet rewards, the satisfaction that comes from building a useful object and making it work. Excitement arrives with the flash of insight that cracks a previously intractable problem. The spiritual quest for elegance can turn the hacker into an artist. There are pleasures in parsimony, in squeezing the last drop of performance out of clever algorithms and tight coding. The games, puzzles, and challenges of problems from international programming competitions are a great way to experience these pleasures while improving your algorithmic and coding skills. This book contains over 100 problems that have appeared in previous programming contests, along with discussions of the theory and ideas necessary to attack them. Instant online grading for all of these problems is available from two WWW robot judging sites. Combining this book with a judge gives an exciting new way to challenge and improve your programming skills. This book can be used for self-study, for teaching innovative courses in algorithms and programming, and in training for international competition. The problems in this book have been selected from over 1,000 programming problems at the Universidad de Valladolid online judge. The judge has ruled on well over one million submissions from 27,000 registered users around the world to date. We have taken only the best of the best, the most fun, exciting, and interesting problems available. |
| computer science puzzles: The Gödelian Puzzle Book Raymond M. Smullyan, 2013-08-21 These logic puzzles provide entertaining variations on Gödel's incompleteness theorems, offering ingenious challenges related to infinity, truth and provability, undecidability, and other concepts. No background in formal logic necessary. |
| computer science puzzles: Learning Algorithms Through Programming and Puzzle Solving Alexander Kulikov, Pavel Pevzner, 2018-12-17 Learning Algorithms Through Programming and Puzzle Solving is one of the first textbooks to emerge from the recent Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) revolution and a com- panion to the authors' online specialization on Coursera and MicroMasters Program on edX. The book introduces a programming-centric approach to learning algorithms and strikes a unique balance between algorithmic ideas, programming challenges, and puz- zle solving. Since the launch of this project on Coursera and edX, hundreds of thousands students tried to solve programming challenges and algorithmic puzzles covered in this book.The book is also a step towards developing an Intelligent Tutoring System for learning algo- rithms. In a classroom, once a student takes a wrong turn, there are limited opportunities to ask a question, resulting in a learning breakdown, or the inability to progress further without individual guidance. When a student suffers a learning breakdown, that student needs immediate help in order to proceed. Traditional textbooks do not provide such help, but the automated grading system described in this MOOC book does!The book is accompanied by additional educational materials that include the book website, video lectures, slides, FAQs, and other resources available at Coursera and EdX. |
| computer science puzzles: Modelling Puzzles in First Order Logic Adrian Groza, 2021-10-26 Keeping students involved and actively learning is challenging. Instructors in computer science are aware of the cognitive value of modelling puzzles and often use logical puzzles as an efficient pedagogical instrument to engage students and develop problem-solving skills. This unique book is a comprehensive resource that offers teachers and students fun activities to teach and learn logic. It provides new, complete, and running formalisation in Propositional and First Order Logic for over 130 logical puzzles, including Sudoku-like puzzles, zebra-like puzzles, island of truth, lady and tigers, grid puzzles, strange numbers, or self-reference puzzles. Solving puzzles with theorem provers can be an effective cognitive incentive to motivate students to learn logic. They will find a ready-to-use format which illustrates how to model each puzzle, provides running implementations, and explains each solution. This concise and easy-to-follow textbook is a much-needed support tool for students willing to explore beyond the introductory level of learning logic and lecturers looking for examples to heighten student engagement in their computer science courses. |
| computer science puzzles: Code This! Jennifer Szymanski, 2019 Instructions for children on coding and creating programs on computers-- |
| computer science puzzles: Doll-E 1.0 Shanda McCloskey, 2018-05-01 A STEM-friendly tale of a girl and the doll she upgrades to be her new friend, for fans of The Most Magnificent Thing and Rosie Revere, Engineer. Charlotte's world is fully charged! With her dog at her side, she's always tinkering, coding, clicking, and downloading. She's got a knack for anything technological--especially gadgets that her parents don't know how to fix! Then, she receives a new toy that is quite a puzzle: a doll! What's she supposed to do with that? Once she discovers the doll's hidden battery pack, things start to get interesting...while her faithful canine sidekick wonders if he'll be overshadowed by the new and improved Doll-E 1.0! With a little ingenuity and an open mind, everyone can be friends in this endearing, modern tribute to the creative spirit of play. |
| computer science puzzles: To Mock a Mockingbird Raymond M. Smullyan, 2000 In this entertaining and challenging collection of logic puzzles, Raymond Smullyan -- author of Forever Undecided -- continues to delight and astonish us with his gift for making available, in the thoroughly pleasurable form of puzzles, some of the most important mathematical thinking of our time. In the first part of the book, he transports us once again to that wonderful realm where knights, knaves, twin sisters, quadruplet brothers, gods, demons, and mortals either always tell the truth or always lie, and where truth-seekers are set a variety of fascinating problems. The section culminates in an enchanting and profound metapuzzle in which Inspector Craig of Scotland Yard gets involved in a search for the Fountain of Youth on the Island of Knights and Knaves. In the second part of To Mock a Mockingbird, we accompany the Inspector on a summer-long adventure into the field of combinatory logic (a branch of logic that plays an important role in computer science and artificial intelligence). His adventure, which includes enchanted forests, talking birds, bird sociologists, and a classic quest, provides for us along the way the pleasure of solving puzzles of increasing complexity until we reach the Master Forest and -- thanks to Godel's famous theorem -- the final revelation. |
| computer science puzzles: Puzzles for Hackers Ivan Sklyarov, 2005 These puzzles and mind-benders serve as a way to train logic and help developers, hackers, and system administrators discover unconventional solutions to common IT problems. Users will learn to find bugs in source code, write exploits, and solve nonstandard coding tasks and hacker puzzles. Cryptographic puzzles, puzzles for Linux and Windows hackers, coding puzzles, and puzzles for web designers are included. |
| computer science puzzles: Mathematical Puzzles Sam Loyd, 1960 |
| computer science puzzles: Algorithmic Puzzles Anany Levitin, Maria Levitin, 2011-09-21 While many think of algorithms as specific to computer science, at its core algorithmic thinking is defined by the use of analytical logic to solve problems. This logic extends far beyond the realm of computer science and into the wide and entertaining world of puzzles. In Algorithmic Puzzles, Anany and Maria Levitin use many classic brainteasers as well as newer examples from job interviews with major corporations to show readers how to apply analytical thinking to solve puzzles requiring well-defined procedures. The book's unique collection of puzzles is supplemented with carefully developed tutorials on algorithm design strategies and analysis techniques intended to walk the reader step-by-step through the various approaches to algorithmic problem solving. Mastery of these strategies--exhaustive search, backtracking, and divide-and-conquer, among others--will aid the reader in solving not only the puzzles contained in this book, but also others encountered in interviews, puzzle collections, and throughout everyday life. Each of the 150 puzzles contains hints and solutions, along with commentary on the puzzle's origins and solution methods. The only book of its kind, Algorithmic Puzzles houses puzzles for all skill levels. Readers with only middle school mathematics will develop their algorithmic problem-solving skills through puzzles at the elementary level, while seasoned puzzle solvers will enjoy the challenge of thinking through more difficult puzzles. |
| computer science puzzles: Games for Your Mind Jason Rosenhouse, 2022-09-27 A lively and engaging look at logic puzzles and their role in mathematics, philosophy, and recreation Logic puzzles were first introduced to the public by Lewis Carroll in the late nineteenth century and have been popular ever since. Games like Sudoku and Mastermind are fun and engrossing recreational activities, but they also share deep foundations in mathematical logic and are worthy of serious intellectual inquiry. Games for Your Mind explores the history and future of logic puzzles while enabling you to test your skill against a variety of puzzles yourself. In this informative and entertaining book, Jason Rosenhouse begins by introducing readers to logic and logic puzzles and goes on to reveal the rich history of these puzzles. He shows how Carroll's puzzles presented Aristotelian logic as a game for children, yet also informed his scholarly work on logic. He reveals how another pioneer of logic puzzles, Raymond Smullyan, drew on classic puzzles about liars and truthtellers to illustrate Kurt Gödel's theorems and illuminate profound questions in mathematical logic. Rosenhouse then presents a new vision for the future of logic puzzles based on nonclassical logic, which is used today in computer science and automated reasoning to manipulate large and sometimes contradictory sets of data. Featuring a wealth of sample puzzles ranging from simple to extremely challenging, this lively and engaging book brings together many of the most ingenious puzzles ever devised, including the Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever, metapuzzles, paradoxes, and the logic puzzles in detective stories. |
| computer science puzzles: Computer Science Education Sue Sentance, Erik Barendsen, Nicol R. Howard, Carsten Schulte, 2023-02-23 Drawing together the most up-to-date research from experts all across the world, the second edition of Computer Science Education offers the most up-to-date coverage available on this developing subject, ideal for building confidence of new pre-service and in-service educators teaching a new discipline. It provides an international overview of key concepts, pedagogical approaches and assessment practices. Highlights of the second edition include: - New sections on machine learning and data-driven (epistemic) programming - A new focus on equity and inclusion in computer science education - Chapters updated throughout, including a revised chapter on relating ethical and societal aspects to knowledge-rich aspects of computer science education - A new set of chapters on the learning of programming, including design, pedagogy and misconceptions - A chapter on the way we use language in the computer science classroom. The book is structured to support the reader with chapter outlines, synopses and key points. Explanations of key concepts, real-life examples and reflective points keep the theory grounded in classroom practice. The book is accompanied by a companion website, including online summaries for each chapter, 3-minute video summaries by each author and an archived chapter on taxonomies and competencies from the first edition. |
| computer science puzzles: The Computer Science Activity Book Christine Liu, Tera Johnson, 2018-10-02 A hands-on introduction to computer science concepts for non-technical readers. Activities include word searches, mazes, Find the Bug! hunts, matching games, Color by Boolean (a twist on the classic Paint by Numbers), and more. The Computer Science Activity Book is the perfect companion for curious youngsters and grown-ups -- especially those who think they'll never understand how computers work. As readers work their way through this collection of fun and innovative hands-on exercises, they'll learn the core programming concepts and computer terminology that form the foundation of a STEM education. Readers learn about historical figures like Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and Alan Turing; how computers store data and run programs; and how the parts of a computer work together (like the hard drive, RAM, and CPU) through activities that teach foundational programming concepts like drawing a garden of flowers using for loops and creating creatures with conditional statements. |
| computer science puzzles: Security Protocols Bruce Christianson, 2001-09-12 This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Security Protocols held in Cambridge, UK in April 2000. The 21 papers presented with transcriptions of the discussion following the presentation have gone through two rounds of revision and selection; also included are a keynote address and a discussion summary and an afterword by the volume editors. Among the topics addressed are authentication, trust in cyberspace, identification protocols, administration and government issues, specification, access privileges, PKI certificates, trust-based billing systems, public-key cryptosystems, denial of service, anonymous auction protocols, and certification. |
| computer science puzzles: The Turing Omnibus A. K. Dewdney, 1989 |
| computer science puzzles: Programming Puzzles: Python Edition Matthew Whiteside, 2024-06-06 Programming Puzzles by Matthew Whiteside offers an engaging collection of challenge and fun puzzles designed to sharpen your problem-solving skills and enhance your programming expertise Key Features A diverse range of puzzles to suit different skill levels Hints and solutions to facilitate learning and understanding Comprehensive explanations that deepen programming knowledge Book DescriptionProgramming Puzzles is a meticulously crafted collection designed to elevate your coding skills through engaging and challenging exercises. The book begins with a helpful guide on getting started, ensuring that readers are well-prepared to tackle the puzzles ahead. As you delve deeper, you'll encounter a series of challenge puzzles that test your logical thinking and problem-solving abilities, followed by fun puzzles that offer a more relaxed yet equally rewarding experience. Hints are provided for the challenge puzzles to guide you through particularly tough spots, ensuring you stay motivated without giving away the solutions. Once you've worked through the puzzles, comprehensive solutions are provided, allowing you to understand different approaches and learn from your mistakes. Each section of the book is designed to progressively build your skills, from basic logic to advanced problem-solving techniques, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their programming abilities. The journey through this book is not just about finding solutions; it's about developing a deeper understanding of how to approach and solve complex problems. By the end of this book, you'll have honed your coding skills, enhanced your logical thinking, and gained a new appreciation for the art of problem-solving in programming.What you will learn Develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills Apply programming concepts to solve challenging puzzles Enhance coding proficiency through practical exercises Gain insight into different approaches to problem-solving Understand the logic behind complex programming solutions Improve debugging skills with detailed solution explanations Who this book is for The ideal audience for Programming Puzzles includes software developers, data scientists, computer science students, coding bootcamp graduates, and anyone preparing for technical interviews. This book is perfect for individuals looking to enhance their problem-solving and coding skills through a variety of engaging and challenging puzzles. A basic understanding of programming concepts and familiarity with the programming language are recommended prerequisites to fully benefit from the exercises and solutions provided. |
| computer science puzzles: Mazes for Programmers Jamis Buck, 2015 Part I. The basics : Your first random mazes : Preparing the grid ; The binary tree algorithm ; The sidewinder algorithm -- Automating and displaying your mazes : Introducing our basic grid ; Displaying a maze on a terminal ; Implementing the binary tree algorithm ; Rendering a maze as an image -- Finding solutions : Dijkstra's algorithm ; Implementing Dijkstra's ; Finding the shortest path ; Making challenging mazes ; Coloring your mazes -- Avoiding bias with random walks : Understanding biases ; The Aldous-Broder algorithm ; Implementing Aldous-Broder ; Wilson's algorithm ; Implementing Wilson's algorithm -- Adding constraints to random walks : The hunt-and-kill algorithm ; Implementing hunt-and-kill ; Counting dead ends ; The recursive backtracker algorithm ; Implementing the recursive backtracker -- Part II. New steps : Fitting mazes to shapes : Introducing masking ; Implementing a mask ; ASCII masks ; Image masks -- Going in circles : Understanding polar grids ; Drawing polar grids ; Adaptively subdividing the grid ; Implementing a polar grid -- Exploring other grids : Implementing a hex grid ; Displaying a hex grid ; Making hexagon (sigma) mazes ; Implementing a triangle grid ; Displaying a triangle grid ; Making triangle (delta) mazes -- Braiding and weaving your mazes : Braiding mazes ; Cost versus distance ; Implementing a cost-aware Dikstra's algorithm ; Introducing weaves and insets ; Generating weave mazes -- Part III. More algorithms : Improving your weaving : Kruskal's algorithm ; Implementing randomized Kruskal's algorithm ; Better weaving with Kruskal ; Implementing better weaving -- Growing with Prim's : Introducing Prim's algorithm ; Simplified Prim's algorithm ; True Prim's algorithm ; The growing tree algorithm -- Combining, dividing : Eller's algorithm ; Implementing Eller's algorithm ; Recursive division ; Implementing recursive division -- Part IV. Extending mazes into hight dimensions : Understanding dimensions ; Introducing 3D mazes ; Adding a third dimension ; Displaying a 3D maze ; Representing four dimensions -- Bending and folding your mazes ; Cylinder mazes ; Möbius mazes ; Cube mazes ; Sphere mazes -- Summary of maze algorithms : Aldous-Broder ; Binary tree ; Eller's ; Growing tree ; Hunt-and-kill ; Kruskal's (randomized) ; Prim's (simplified) ; Prim's (true) ; Recursive backtracker ; Recursive division ; Sidewinder ; Wilson's -- Comparison of maze algorithms : Dead ends ; Longest path ; Twistiness ; Directness ; Intersections |
| computer science puzzles: Guide to Teaching Puzzle-based Learning Edwin F. Meyer III, Nickolas Falkner, Raja Sooriamurthi, Zbigniew Michalewicz, 2014-07-23 This book provides insights drawn from the authors’ extensive experience in teaching Puzzle-based Learning. Practical advice is provided for teachers and lecturers evaluating a range of different formats for varying class sizes. Features: suggests numerous entertaining puzzles designed to motivate students to think about framing and solving unstructured problems; discusses models for student engagement, setting up puzzle clubs, hosting a puzzle competition, and warm-up activities; presents an overview of effective teaching approaches used in Puzzle-based Learning, covering a variety of class activities, assignment settings and assessment strategies; examines the issues involved in framing a problem and reviews a range of problem-solving strategies; contains tips for teachers and notes on common student pitfalls throughout the text; provides a collection of puzzle sets for use during a Puzzle-based Learning event, including puzzles that require probabilistic reasoning, and logic and geometry puzzles. |
| computer science puzzles: Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy Narasimha Karumanchi, 2016-08-28 Data Structures And Algorithms Made Easy: Data Structures and Algorithmic Puzzles is a book that offers solutions to complex data structures and algorithms. There are multiple solutions for each problem and the book is coded in C/C++, it comes handy as an interview and exam guide for computer scientists. |
| computer science puzzles: Ancient Puzzles Dominic Olivastro, 1993-11 Comprising the entire brainteasing spectrum from the silly and quirky to the clever and profound and drawing on classic wisdom from around the world and from as far back as 7,000 B.C., this collection features puzzles via Hebrew mystics, medieval Muslims, Benjamin Franklin, Sun Tsu, and more. |
| computer science puzzles: The Art of Computer Programming Donald E. Knuth, 2014-09-12 The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4A: Combinatorial Algorithms, Part 1 Knuth’s multivolume analysis of algorithms is widely recognized as the definitive description of classical computer science. The first three volumes of this work have long comprised a unique and invaluable resource in programming theory and practice. Scientists have marveled at the beauty and elegance of Knuth’s analysis, while practicing programmers have successfully applied his “cookbook” solutions to their day-to-day problems. The level of these first three volumes has remained so high, and they have displayed so wide and deep a familiarity with the art of computer programming, that a sufficient “review” of future volumes could almost be: “Knuth, Volume n has been published.” –Data Processing Digest Knuth, Volume n has been published, where n = 4A. In this long-awaited new volume, the old master turns his attention to some of his favorite topics in broadword computation and combinatorial generation (exhaustively listing fundamental combinatorial objects, such as permutations, partitions, and trees), as well as his more recent interests, such as binary decision diagrams. The hallmark qualities that distinguish his previous volumes are manifest here anew: detailed coverage of the basics, illustrated with well-chosen examples; occasional forays into more esoteric topics and problems at the frontiers of research; impeccable writing peppered with occasional bits of humor; extensive collections of exercises, all with solutions or helpful hints; a careful attention to history; implementations of many of the algorithms in his classic step-by-step form. There is an amazing amount of information on each page. Knuth has obviously thought long and hard about which topics and results are most central and important, and then, what are the most intuitive and succinct ways of presenting that material. Since the areas that he covers in this volume have exploded since he first envisioned writing about them, it is wonderful how he has managed to provide such thorough treatment in so few pages. –Frank Ruskey, Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria The book is Volume 4A, because Volume 4 has itself become a multivolume undertaking. Combinatorial searching is a rich and important topic, and Knuth has too much to say about it that is new, interesting, and useful to fit into a single volume, or two, or maybe even three. This book alone includes approximately 1500 exercises, with answers for self-study, plus hundreds of useful facts that cannot be found in any other publication. Volume 4A surely belongs beside the first three volumes of this classic work in every serious programmer’s library. Finally, after a wait of more than thirty-five years, the first part of Volume 4 is at last ready for publication. Check out the boxed set that brings together Volumes 1 - 4A in one elegant case, and offers the purchaser a $50 discount off the price of buying the four volumes individually. Ebook (PDF version) produced by Mathematical Sciences Publishers (MSP),http://msp.org The Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set, 3/e ISBN: 0321751043 |
| computer science puzzles: Advances in Cryptology - CRYPTO 2009 Shai Halevi, 2009-08-18 This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 29th Annual International Cryptology Conference, CRYPTO 2009, held in Santa Barbara, CA, USA in August 2009. The 38 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 213 submissions. Addressing all current foundational, theoretical and research aspects of cryptology, cryptography, and cryptanalysis as well as advanced applications, the papers are organized in topical sections on key leakage, hash-function cryptanalysis, privacy and anonymity, interactive proofs and zero-knowledge, block-cipher cryptanalysis, modes of operation, elliptic curves, cryptographic hardness, merkle puzzles, cryptography in the physical world, attacks on signature schemes, secret sharing and secure computation, cryptography and game-theory, cryptography and lattices, identity-based encryption and cryptographers’ toolbox. |
| computer science puzzles: Doctor Ecco's Cyberpuzzles: 36 Puzzles for Hackers and Other Mathematical Detectives Dennis E. Shasha, 2004-02-17 Dennis Shasha is the absolute best puzzle writer alive.—David Gelernter, professor of computer science, Yale University In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Ecco is one of the greatest sleuths of our time, a mathematical wizard who uses logic and computer programming to solve crimes, find treasures, and explore space. Join his team, expand the frontiers of your knowledge, and match wits with him on intriguing cases like The Virus from the Spy and The Secrets of Space and The Caribou and the Gas. The puzzles collected here require no formal background beyond arithmetic and elementary algebra—just lively curiosity and keen intelligence. With thirty-six illustrated cases organized around eight major mathematical themes (from Combinatorial Geometry and Geography to Ciphers and Secrecy) this book will encourage you to use your mind and your computer in ways you never previously imagined. |
| computer science puzzles: The Moscow Puzzles Boris A. Kordemsky, 1992-04-10 A collection of math and logic puzzles features number games, magic squares, tricks, problems with dominoes and dice, and cross sums, in addition to other intellectual teasers. |
| computer science puzzles: Logic Grid Puzzles Sage Greenwood, AI, 2025-03-31 Logic Grid Puzzles explores the science and psychology behind these intriguing brainteasers, revealing how they enhance logical thinking and deductive reasoning. These puzzles, which present clues across multiple categories like people, professions, and hobbies, challenge solvers to systematically eliminate possibilities and identify relationships. The book argues that regular engagement with logic grid puzzles cultivates vital cognitive skills applicable to academic pursuits and professional decision-making. The book highlights how these puzzles activate different areas of the brain and improve working memory, linking success in solving them to measurements of fluid intelligence. Did you know that the skills honed through logic grid puzzles can improve diagnostic reasoning in medicine and problem-solving in engineering? The approach begins with the fundamental principles of the puzzles, then progresses into the cognitive science behind them, including real-world applications. The book distinguishes itself by blending theoretical analysis with practical guidance, providing readers with tools and techniques to solve puzzles more effectively. It starts by introducing puzzle structure and solving techniques. Later chapters explore the link between puzzle success and fluid intelligence, the psychological benefits of regular engagement, and increasingly complex examples. |
| computer science puzzles: SOFSEM 2010: Theory and Practice of Computer Science Jan van Leeuwen, Anca Muscholl, David Peleg, Jaroslav Pokorny, Bernhard Rumpe, 2010-01-20 This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 36th Conference on Current Trends in Theory and Practice of Computer Science, SOFSEM 2010, held in Špindleruv Mlýn, Czech Republic, in January 2009. The 53 revised full papers, presented together with 11 invited contributions, were carefully reviewed and selected from 134 submissions. SOFSEM 2010 was organized around the following four tracks: Foundations of computer science, principles of software construction, Data, knowledge, and intelligent systems and Web science. |
| computer science puzzles: Women in Science Puzzle Rachel Ignotofsky, 2018-08-28 This colorfully illustrated 500-piece puzzle features 15 trailblazing women of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and is a perfect gift for budding feminists and science lovers. A unique 18 x 24-inch-inch poster is included for referencing the design while working on the puzzle. Based on the New York Times bestselling book Women in Science, this brightly colored 500-piece puzzle celebrates 15 groundbreaking female scientists and is perfect for the whole family. |
| computer science puzzles: Puzzle It! Logic Puzzles and Tricks Moshe Levy, 2007-05 Every Puzzle It! book has 50 challenging and entertaining puzzles that require the application of important basic skills. In solving puzzles, students wake up their brains as they sharpen critical thinking and problem solving. |
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A computer is a device for working with information. The information can be numbers, words, pictures, movies, or sounds. Computer information is also called data.
Personal computer (PC) | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica
6 days ago · Personal computer, a digital computer designed for use by only one person at a time. A typical personal computer assemblage consists of a central processing unit, which contains …
Computer science | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
May 29, 2025 · Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for processing …
Computer - Memory, Storage, Processing | Britannica
Computer - Memory, Storage, Processing: The earliest forms of computer main memory were mercury delay lines, which were tubes of mercury that stored data as ultrasonic waves, and …
Digital computer | Evolution, Components, & Features | Britannica
digital computer, any of a class of devices capable of solving problems by processing information in discrete form. It operates on data, including magnitudes, letters, and symbols, that are …
Computer - Supercomputing, Processing, Speed | Britannica
Apr 14, 2025 · Computer - Supercomputing, Processing, Speed: The most powerful computers of the day have typically been called supercomputers. They have historically been very …
Computer programming language | Types & Examples | Britannica
May 13, 2025 · Computer programming language, any of various languages for expressing a set of detailed instructions for a computer. The earliest programming languages were assembly …
Computer | Definition, History, Operating Systems, & Facts
A computer is a programmable device for processing, storing, and displaying information. Learn more in this article about modern digital electronic computers and their design, constituent …
Computer - History, Technology, Innovation | Britannica
Computer - History, Technology, Innovation: A computer might be described with deceptive simplicity as “an apparatus that performs routine calculations automatically.” Such a definition …
Computer - Technology, Invention, History | Britannica
Apr 14, 2025 · Computer - Technology, Invention, History: By the second decade of the 19th century, a number of ideas necessary for the invention of the computer were in the air. First, …
computer - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
A computer is a device for working with information. The information can be numbers, words, pictures, movies, or sounds. Computer information is also called data.
Personal computer (PC) | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica
6 days ago · Personal computer, a digital computer designed for use by only one person at a time. A typical personal computer assemblage consists of a central processing unit, which contains …
Computer science | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
May 29, 2025 · Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for processing …
Computer - Memory, Storage, Processing | Britannica
Computer - Memory, Storage, Processing: The earliest forms of computer main memory were mercury delay lines, which were tubes of mercury that stored data as ultrasonic waves, and …
Digital computer | Evolution, Components, & Features | Britannica
digital computer, any of a class of devices capable of solving problems by processing information in discrete form. It operates on data, including magnitudes, letters, and symbols, that are …
Computer - Supercomputing, Processing, Speed | Britannica
Apr 14, 2025 · Computer - Supercomputing, Processing, Speed: The most powerful computers of the day have typically been called supercomputers. They have historically been very …
Computer programming language | Types & Examples | Britannica
May 13, 2025 · Computer programming language, any of various languages for expressing a set of detailed instructions for a computer. The earliest programming languages were assembly …
