Professor Povey’s Perplexing Problems: Pre-University Physics and Maths Puzzles with Solutions
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In Professor Povey’s Perplexing Problems, Thomas Povey shares 109 of his favourite problems in physics and maths. A tour de force of imagination and exposition, he takes us by the hand and guides us through uncompromisingly challenging territory that expands our minds and encourages a playful and exploratory approach to study. The puzzles, he says, are like toys. We should pick up the one we most enjoy, and play with it.
Whether you are an aspiring scientist or an old-hand, pitting yourself against these problems will test your ability to think, and inspire you with curiosity and enthusiasm for physics. Presented with charm and wit, the questions span the gap between high-school and university-entrance standard material. Detailed answers are lightened with a fascinating and refreshing blend of scientific history, application and personal anecdote.
On this delightful and idiosyncratic romp through pre-university maths and physics, the author shows us that behind every single one of these questions lies a new way of thinking about subjects we thought we had understood. He argues that engaging with the unfamiliar is key to forming deeper insights and developing intellectual independence. Professor Povey’s Perplexing Problems is a manifesto that science should be playful, and a celebration of the curious.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Illustrated edition (7 May 2015), Oneworld Publications |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1780747756 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1780747750 |
| Dimensions | 14.99 x 3.05 x 23.37 cm |
by henros
Excellent problems and clearly-explained solutions; perfect for understanding and for gaining practice in working physics problems. The author’s commentary is entertaining, and the occasional discussions provide further food for thought.
My only criticism is that the answer is presented immediately after each problem, which is very distracting as it is difficult to prevent the eye straying whilst considering the problem. A different layout is needed – and would get 5 stars from me.
by Ot
The problems are great fun, and the solutions explain how to solve the problems very well.
But I have to subtract one star for one simple reason that made me enjoy it less. The solution to a problem is written right after the problem is stated.
If you want to have a go at the problem without seeing the solution you have to keep covering the pages up with a piece of paper or something. Sometimes you see the solution the moment you turn the page to look at the problem.
Pretty much every book with problems has the solutions after all of the problems, so I can’t see why it was done like this.
by Paul Vogelberg
Whilst this book was highly insightful and very thought provoking, it did not align to at least my interview experience, which were a lot more pure maths orientated. However, even considering this, I thoroughly enjoyed the questions inside this book and it helped me enjoy the topics I had learnt at school by showing its use case in very practical problems.
by A. Brice
The puzzles range from not easy (1 star) to hard (4 star). So probably only suitable for some of the brighter A level physics and maths students. I have tried some of them with my son and it is certainly a challenge to someone who did his physics degree in the 1980s!
by franfromivegill
Sort of interested but equally frustrated by the initial pages that made rather uncomfortable reading. A young child making fireworks without patents …. Blowing up stuff … How easy he got into Oxford University despite messing up interview…. All exudes a privileged life while those without these advantages languish….. However…. Once that has left the normal individual quite uncomfortable……the problems set are then explained clearly …. In this sense it is a great resource to help students prepare for Oxbridge interview or just to challenge personal knowledge. Problems are graded too … So we don’t feel too superior when we answer an easy one 🙂
by T Bowler
Professor Povey’s Perplexing Problems is a unique and charming collection of pre-university physics and mathematics puzzles. The puzzles contained within range from the mechanics of those trapped in sewers to accelerating matchboxes to the game of elastotennis (a creation of Povey’s in which both ball and racket are perfectly elastic). Each puzzle is a work of art, Povey has created each puzzle himself and whilst some may be familiar in another guise many are completely original. The accompanying witty commentary and delightful cartoon sketches make this collection of puzzles stand out from the rest. There will not be a wannabe Engineer, Mathematician or Physicist out there who would not enjoy the experience of intellectually wrestling with the hundreds of puzzles presented. One quote is all that is needed to summarise how one should approach this book:
‘These questions are perplexing, puzzling, but-most of all-fun. You should regard them like toys. Pick up the one that most appeals, and play with it. When you have exhausted it, you can entertain a friend with it.’
by Anthony Strange
The book provides a set of more interesting Physics and Maths problems for y12 and y13 students. They are based on university admission interview questions and so are useful for students preparing for this. However, the questions are rated for difficulty and the answers are provided. They are arranged into topic areas and each chapter provides a reminder of the topic. The questions would be useful for teachers to challenge the more advanced students in the class. Well organised, it would sit well with those students who will also be considering the Physics Olympiad, the Senior Physics Challenge and Isaac Physics, bringing back the fun of problem solving to Physics……as if it every went away.
by R. Amjad
This book was single-handedly the best purchase I made in Year 12 (although, I wish I bought it even earlier) as it led me to where I am now: studying Natural Sciences @ St. John’s College, Cambridge.
I have done most of the problems and enjoyed almost every one of them (especially when seeing my skills improve with each question). This made my admissions tests and interviews much easier because my general problem-solving skills improved so much over the several months I did the problems.
I would suggest that when you buy this book, you should try to do the problems consistently and spend a while thinking about each one. Doing 1 or 2 problems every 1/2 days over the course of 3/6 months will be much more beneficial than trying to do 5 a day when cramming for interviews (because you won’t have as much time to play with the puzzles). Ultimately, the sooner you buy this book and start using it, the better.