Recreational mathematics

Recreational mathematics is mathematics carried out for recreation (entertainment) rather than as a strictly research-and-application-based professional activity or as a part of a student's formal education. It includes fun puzzles and games that can spark interest in math for kids and adults alike, even those without advanced knowledge.

Many people enjoy recreational math because it turns complex ideas into playful challenges. The Mathematical Association of America recognizes this field as one of its Special Interest Groups, highlighting how deep mathematical concepts often hide within simple puzzles and games.

Mathematical competitions, such as those sponsored by mathematical associations, are also part of recreational mathematics, bringing together enthusiasts to solve intriguing problems and share their passion for the subject.

Topics

Some famous topics in recreational mathematics include Rubik's Cubes, magic squares, fractals, logic puzzles, and mathematical chess problems. This area also explores the aesthetics and culture of mathematics, interesting stories and coincidences about mathematics, and the lives of mathematicians.

Mathematical games are games whose rules and strategies can be studied using math, even if players don’t use math while playing. For example, Mancala is studied in combinatorial game theory but doesn’t need math to play. Mathematical puzzles need math to solve and usually don’t involve competition, unlike games. Examples include logic puzzles and classical ciphers. Magic tricks based on math, called mathemagics, can create surprising effects, like guessing a card from a deck using math rules. Other fun math activities include patterns in juggling, the geometry of origami, and creating string figures like Cat's Cradles.

Online blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels

There are many fun blogs and videos about recreational mathematics. Some popular ones include Cut-the-Knot by Alexander Bogomolny, Futility Closet by Greg Ross, Mathologer by Burkard Polster, Numberphile by Brady Haran, Stand-Up Maths by Matt Parker, and videos by Vi Hart. These resources make learning math enjoyable and interesting.

Publications

The journal Eureka by the mathematical society of the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest publications in recreational mathematics. It has been published 60 times since 1939 and has featured many famous mathematicians and scientists like Martin Gardner, John Conway, Roger Penrose, Ian Stewart, Timothy Gowers, Stephen Hawking, and Paul Dirac.

The Journal of Recreational Mathematics was a major publication on this topic from 1968 until it stopped in 2014. Mathematical Games was a long-running column in Scientific American from 1956 to 1981, written by Martin Gardner. It inspired many future mathematicians and scientists. The column was followed by others, including "[Metamagical Themas]" by Douglas Hofstadter, and various columns by Ian Stewart and Dennis Shasha. Today, the Recreational Mathematics Magazine is an electronic journal published by the Ludus Association. It focuses on fun and insightful mathematical ideas.

People

Many people have enjoyed and supported recreational mathematics, including both professional and amateur mathematicians. These individuals have helped make math fun and interesting for many learners around the world.