SKU: 8803066326

Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved - Revised Color Edition

Sale price$22.91 Regular price$25.46
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.37 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 18 - Jul 23

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved - Revised Color EditionOn October 23, 1852, Professor Augustus De Morgan wrote a letter to a colleague, unaware that he was launching one of the most famous mathematical conundrums in history one that would confound thousands of puzzlers for more than a century. This is the amazing story of how the map problem was solved. The problem posed in the letter came from a former student: What is the least possible number of colors needed to fill in any map (real or invented) so

On October 23, 1852, Professor Augustus De Morgan wrote a letter to a colleague, unaware that he was launching one of the most famous mathematical conundrums in history--one that would confound thousands of puzzlers for more than a century. This is the amazing story of how the map problem was solved.

The problem posed in the letter came from a former student: What is the least possible number of colors needed to fill in any map (real or invented) so that neighboring counties are always colored differently? This deceptively simple question was of minimal interest to cartographers, who saw little need to limit how many colors they used. But the problem set off a frenzy among professional mathematicians and amateur problem solvers, among them Lewis Carroll, an astronomer, a botanist, an obsessive golfer, the Bishop of London, a man who set his watch only once a year, a California traffic cop, and a bridegroom who spent his honeymoon coloring maps. In their pursuit of the solution, mathematicians painted maps on doughnuts and horseshoes and played with patterned soccer balls and the great rhombicuboctahedron.

It would be more than one hundred years (and countless colored maps) later before the result was finally established. Even then, difficult questions remained, and the intricate solution--which involved no fewer than 1,200 hours of computer time--was greeted with as much dismay as enthusiasm.

Providing a clear and elegant explanation of the problem and the proof, Robin Wilson tells how a seemingly innocuous question baffled great minds and stimulated exciting mathematics with far-flung applications. This is the entertaining story of those who failed to prove, and those who ultimately did prove, that four colors do indeed suffice to color any map.

This new edition features many color illustrations. It also includes a new foreword by Ian Stewart on the importance of the map problem and how it was solved.-- "Booklist"

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 11/10/2013
ISBN: 9780691158228
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.33h x 6.13w x 0.47d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 8803066326

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 9 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
J
Verified Purchase
Juan
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
Great shoes true to size
Size: 11, Color: Ivory/Microchip/Ivory, Size: 11, Color: Ivory/Microchip/Ivory
Great shoes, came with box. Brand new, true to size 11 US ! :) in my country they cost 270 USD so, really nice and very comfortable shoe considering i have plantar fasciitis. 3 month update: They get wrinkles pretty fast in just a few weeks due to the material, it’s not noticeable to others at all, but it’s worth keeping this in mind when buying this particular model.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Shaun
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Great comfort and look.
Size: 12, Color: Optic White/Optic White
Cole Haan is my go to shoe. This shoe is very comfortable and can be dressed up or down.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Andre Varghai
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Active Sandles
Size: 12, Color: Black/White
One of the best Active Sandals, I wear them everywhere (wet or dry).
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
V
Verified Purchase
VMA
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Excelente producto
Size: 8, Color: Black/White
Sandalias muy cómodas para caminar, recomendadas para utilizar en viajes largos y clima cálido. Sugiero comprar una talla adicional, sin embargo siguen siendo muy cómodas.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
Y
Verified Purchase
Yana Sosik
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice
Size: 11, Color: Grill/Mint Wave
Perfect design and very comfortable. I wear usually 10.5, these sandals ordered 11, fits perfect
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2025

recommand products