Adventures in Group Theory

This updated and revised edition of David Joyner's entertaining hands-on tour of group theory and abstract algebra brings life levity and practicality to the topics through mathematical toys.Joyner uses permutation puzzles such as the Rubik's Cube and its variants the 15 puzzle the Rainbow Masterball Merlin's Machine the Pyraminx and the Skewb to explain the basics of introductory algebra and group theory. Subjects covered include the Cayley graphs symmetries isomorphisms wreath products free groups and finite fields of group theory as well as algebraic matrices combinatorics and permutations.Featuring strategies for solving the puzzles and computations illustrated using the SAGE open-source computer algebra system the second edition of Adventures in Group Theory is perfect for mathematics enthusiasts and for use as a supplementary textbook.