A mathematical problem, usually not requiring advanced mathematics, to which a solution is desired. Puzzles frequently require the rearrangement of existing pieces (e.g., 15 puzzle) or the filling in of blanks (e.g., crossword puzzle).
Puzzle
See also
15 Puzzle, Baguenaudier, Caliban Puzzle, Conway Puzzle, Cryptarithmetic, Dissection Puzzles, Icosian Game, Pythagorean Square Puzzle, Rubik's Cube, Slothouber-Graatsma Puzzle, T-Puzzle, Theta-0 GraphExplore with Wolfram|Alpha
References
Bogomolny, A. "Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles." http://www.cut-the-knot.org/front.shtml.Clessa, J. J. Math and Logic Puzzles for PC Enthusiasts. New York: Dover.Costello, M. J. The Greatest Puzzles of All Time. New York: Dover.Dudeney, H. E. Amusements in Mathematics. New York: Dover, 1917.Dudeney, H. E. The Canterbury Puzzles and Other Curious Problems, 7th ed. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1949.Dudeney, H. E. 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems. New York: Scribner, 1967.Friedman, E. "Erich's Puzzle Palace." http://www.stetson.edu/~efriedma/puzzle.html.Fujii, J. N. Puzzles and Graphs. Washington, DC: National Council of Teachers, 1966.Pegg, E. Jr. "Mathpuzzle." http://www.mathpuzzle.com/.Weisstein, E. W. "Books about Recreational Mathematics." http://www.ericweisstein.com/encyclopedias/books/RecreationalMathematics.html.Slocum, J. and Botermans, J. Puzzles Old and New: How to Make and Solve Them. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1988.Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha
PuzzleCite this as:
Weisstein, Eric W. "Puzzle." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Puzzle.html