Can You Solve My Problems? | Alex Bellos | Talks at Google

TL;DR

A talk on puzzles and math, covering famous puzzle inventors, interesting mathematical puzzles, and the connection between puzzles and other fields like literature and magic.

Transcript

as of interest how many people here have computer science degrees okay so if you feel during this talk that these sort of math C logic questions are slightly easy for you I would like just to forward you to puzzle number it's in the first chapter and it's the most difficult puzzle in the book it's called caliban's will and it was invented by max Ne... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧩 Puzzles require a balance between being solvable and challenging enough to engage the audience.
• 🏑 Famous puzzle inventors, such as Henry Ernest dudeney and Sam Lloyd, have made significant contributions to the field.
• 🧡 Mathematical puzzles can cover a wide range of topics, including logic, geography, and physics.
• 🥺 Puzzles and magic share similarities in leading people away from the solution or trick.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you come up with new puzzles?

I don't create many puzzles myself, but rather research and try a lot of existing puzzles. It's important to find puzzles that strike a balance between being solvable yet challenging for the audience.

Q: How do puzzles and magic relate to each other?

Puzzles and magic both involve leading people away from the solution or trick. The process of solving a puzzle can be similar to figuring out a magic trick, as both require thinking in a different direction.

Q: Why did the Babylonians consider a specific puzzle recreational?

The puzzle involving powers of seven was found in a text meant for practical tradespeople. It is believed that the inclusion of the puzzle was meant to bring some enjoyment and amusement to an otherwise practical document.

Q: How can mathematics be incorporated into literature?

Mathematics can be used in literature to create puzzles or logic-based challenges for characters or readers to solve. It adds an element of problem-solving and critical thinking to the narrative.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the difficulty and enjoyment of puzzles, specifically mathematical puzzles.

• Puzzle inventors such as Henry Ernest dudeney and Sam Lloyd are introduced, along with their contributions to the world of puzzles.

• The speaker shares various mathematical puzzles, including ones involving logic, geography, and physics.