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Opinions expressed on these pages were the views of the writers and did not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the American Mathematical Society.
Category Archives: Recreational Mathematics
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
Posted in Mathematics and the Arts, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged 3d printing, Albert Hwang, Andrea Hawksley, Emily Eifler, henry segerman, laura taalman, Mike Lawler, Mike Stay, Rose Eveleth, Vi Hart, VR
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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
Posted in Events, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged mathematical knitting, mathematical sewing, p-adic numbers, square root day
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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
Posted in Mathematics and the Arts, Recreational Mathematics, Uncategorized
Tagged Fibonacci Clock, geometry daily, Math Art, Michael Rubinstein, Tilman Zitzmann
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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
There’s Something about Pentagons
Last month, researchers Casey Mann, Jennifer McLoud, and David Von Derau at the University of Washington Bothell found a new pentagon that tiles the plane, and the crowd went wild. It’s tough for a piece of research mathematics to get … Continue reading
Posted in Math Communication, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged pentagons, tessellations, tilings
1 Comment
Getting Warmer…
I’m currently teaching a summer school for high school students. Our main focus is number theory and its applications to cryptology, but I like to start each morning with some kind of warm-up math puzzle or game. I know plenty … Continue reading
How To Optimize Summer Travel And Not Get Blown Up
Every year I promise myself that I’ll just stay in one place for the summer, and every year that simply doesn’t happen. Today I’m posting from CIRM in Marseille, France. Next week I’m headed to Hong Kong to visit with … Continue reading
Posted in Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Laura McLay, Michael Trick, Operations Research, Patricia Randall, Tallys Yunes, Traffic, Transportation, Travel
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