The Einstein-Wertheimer correspondence on geometric proofs and mathematical puzzles (Q916634): Difference between revisions

The authors had edited the Wertheimer-Einstein correspondence in 1979, but at that time some of the letters had not yet been found. Beginning with an outline of the life and career of Max Wertheimer (1880--1943), the authors fill this gap by editing the missing three letters. These three letters, originally written in German and only parts of it in English, are given here in an English translation together with a commentary. All letters were written most probably in 1937. In the first letter (Einstein to Wertheimer) the subject is the theorem of Menelaus; Einstein presents a so-called ugly proof and an elegant proof. In the second letter Wertheimer described two puzzles, i.e. brain teasers. The third letter shows that Einstein was only fooled by the first problem. The article is supplied with several photos as well as a photomontage representing Wertheimer, Einstein and Born.