Recreational mathematics includes many mathematical games, and can be extended to cover such areas as logic and other puzzles of deductive reasoning. Some of the most interesting problems in this field do not require a knowledge of advanced mathematics.
The subject can include other topics such as the aesthetics of mathematics, and peculiar or amusing stories and coincidences about mathematics and mathematicians. Its greatest contribution is its ability to pique curiosity and inspire the further study of mathematics.
Recreational mathematics includes such topics as magic squares and the exploration of fractals aided by computer graphics.
The Journal of Recreational Mathematics is the biggest publication on this topic.
The foremost advocates of recreational mathematics have included
*John Horton Conway
*H. S. M. Coxeter
*Henry Dudeney
*Martin Gardner, author of
Mathematical Games, a long running column in Scientific American
*Piet Hein
*Douglas Hofstadter
*Sam Loyd
*Clifford A. Pickover, author of numerous books on recreational mathematics
*Walter William Rouse Ball
*David Singmaster
*Raymond Smullyan
References
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mathpuzzle.com by Ed Pegg, Jr.
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The Unreasonable Utility of Recreational Mathematics by David Singmaster
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Nick's Mathematical Puzzles *
Knot a Braid of Links See also
*Mathematical game
*Four fours
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Category:Recreational mathematics
