The Group Theory Puzzle Book 2024th Edition

“I highly recommend this book as a nice introduction to group theory and believe it will serve the undergraduate mathematics major who would like a guided summer project, as a supplement for a first- or second-semester group theory course, or simply for something to engage your mind during your next layover.” (David Plaxco, The American Mathematical Monthly, September 15, 2025)

This book introduces readers to key concepts in group theory through engaging puzzles. The early sections of the book show how the rules of group theory emerge naturally from solving puzzles. Different classes of groups, such as cyclic, dihedral and permutation groups are introduced, accompanied by numerous puzzles to facilitate the understanding of the underlying group structures. Later chapters explain how further group theory principles can be applied to puzzle-solving.

This book is intended as a highly motivating supplementary text for an undergraduate abstract algebra course. It is also ideal for anyone seeking a fun, hands-on approach to learning group theory. Additionally, the book’s many puzzles will be enjoyable for readers already familiar with group theory.