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The opinions expressed on this blog are the views of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the American Mathematical Society
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Recent Posts
Category Archives: Recreational Mathematics
Math Puzzles To Pass The Time
There are two types of people in this world: those that can only lie, and those that can only tell the truth. You might recognize that as the opening clause of so many knights and knaves problems. These are classic … Continue reading
The Lure Of The Rubik’s Cube
Who among us has not lost at least one afternoon of their life to that most seductive of toys: The Rubik’s Cube? Originally invented by the Hungarian architect Erno Rubik in 1974, this cube – although apparently not its patents … Continue reading
Math Games Might Be Sort Of Good For Your Brain
Good news, all that time you spent playing World of Warcraft might have made you smarter. A study out of Stanford just showed that playing video games just 10 minutes each day can make you better at math. The study … Continue reading
Posted in Math Education, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Apps, Euclidea, Math Munch, ReTopo, Video Games
1 Comment
In Praise of People Who Tell Us How to Play with New Toys
I’ve been thinking about getting a 3D printer for a long time but haven’t taken the plunge yet. Aside from the money, space, and inevitable proliferation of small plastic things to step on, part of me is worried I wouldn’t … Continue reading
It’s Not a Trick, It’s an Illusion
I’ve stumbled on the Best Illusion of the Year Contest a few times, but this is the first year I’ve thought about the illusions mathematically. Dave Richeson wrote two posts about this illusion by Kokichi Sugihara, one of the top … Continue reading
Posted in Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Dave Richeson, math, mathematics, optical illusions
1 Comment
The Ramanujan Movie
I saw the Ramanujan Movie and I loved it. “The Man Who Knew Infinity,” came out a few weeks ago, starring Dev Patel as Srinivasa Ramanujan and Jeremy Irons as G.H. Hardy, it was a beautifully told story of what … Continue reading
Posted in Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Hardy, Ken Ono, Ramanujan, The Man Who Knew Infinity
5 Comments
How to Celebrate Square Root Day
Apparently today, 4/4/16, is Square Root Day. (I supposed we could also have celebrated 4/2 to have a long Square Root Weekend.) How should a math enthusiast celebrate this holiday, which won’t come again until May 2025? Of course, one option … Continue reading
Counting Aloud And Other Saucy Things
The best reaction I ever had to telling someone I was a number theorist was “wow, so what’s the highest you’ve ever counted?” Being a number theorist, you can well imagine my response, first lots of laughter, and then “in … Continue reading
Posted in Recreational Mathematics
Tagged math videos, Michael Stevens, Youtube, Zipf's Law
1 Comment
And For The Mathematician Who Has Everything
I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but as a mathematician, I’ve been on the receiving end of one too many well-intentioned protractor cases and Π-themed pie plates. And I’ll concede, if you are anything like me, it is likely a … Continue reading
Getting Primed For Halloween
Maybe it’s the chill in the air or the changing leaves, maybe it’s the ache in my belly from too much candy corn, but whatever the reason, I’ve been in the mood for spooky halloween things this past week. I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Number Theory, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Carl Pomerance, Cube, Math Movies, prime factors
2 Comments
