Martin Gardner passed away Saturday

[Deleted member 4993]

What is special about the number 8,549,176,320?

As Mr. Gardner explained in “The Incredible Dr. Matrix” (1976),

Spoiler: :25etrjom

the number is the 10 natural integers arranged in English alphabetical order.[/spoiler:25etrjom]

 

[soroban]

The world population has a lost a brilliant and inspiring member.

I discovered Martin Gardner's books while an undergraduate (1960s).
Since then he has led me down fascinating side roads which I eagerly explored.

In the mid 1980's I was fortunate to have a bi-monthly math/programming-is-fun column
. . in BYTE magazine. .In it, I presented (hopefully) entertaining exercises that could
. . be programmed in BASIC: the Towers of Hanoi, the 12-Coin Problem (generalized),
. . the Buffon Needle Problem, Balance Scales, Magic Squares, . . .
I flattered myself by thinking that I emulated Gardner's light and breezy style.

I will miss him.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I used to read BYTE in those days...

So you are the guy to be blamed partially for the present "chaos" in my brain!!!