Dissections: Plane and Fancy [Frederickson]

[mklabgr]

Dissections: Plane and Fancy 
BY  Greg N. Frederickson

Summary

Dissections: Plane and Fancy, written by computer science professor Greg N. Frederickson and published in 1997, is a comprehensive 324-page guide to geometric dissections—the captivating mathematical art of slicing geometric shapes into a minimal number of pieces and reassembling them into entirely different figures. 

The book tackles intriguing visual challenges, such as cutting a regular octagon into five pieces to construct a square or transforming a star into a pentagon. Spanning centuries of mathematical history, it connects classical techniques known since the time of Plato with modern, cutting-edge discoveries. Frederickson carefully explains general solution strategies and underlying geometric principles using clear, step-by-step methods that require only a basic understanding of high school geometry. 

Richly filled with detailed diagrams and historical anecdotes, the book functions as both an accessible, hands-on educational resource for students and an engaging treasure trove for puzzle fans, recreational mathematicians, and anyone who appreciates the elegant intersection of art, logic, and geometry.


BOOK