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Mathematical Association
Square peg in a round hole: adventures in the mathematics of area
A Square Peg in a Round Hole takes the reader on a journey through the geometry of common shapes and the calculation of area. Written to be accessible to an able and interested 18-year old, it aims to appeal to students and teachers of mathematics and to anyone with a fascination for the subject.
Which is the better fit: a square peg in a round hole or a round peg in a square hole? What's the best way to fit two semicircles inside a square? Can you picture a hectare or a square kilometre? How should a slice of cheesecake be cut in half? Explore the missing square paradox, the three squares problem and the logo of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Find out how to calculate areas by twisting, overlapping, folding and dissecting, and investigate the surface areas of shapes constructed from unit cubes. Then tackle the multitude of problems in the final chapter.
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