Games mathematicians play; mathematical puzzles, games and other pastimes both enlighten and amuse - includes related article on Eugene Strens Recreational Mathematics Collection at University of Calgary

Science News, Sept 20, 1986 by Ivars Peterson

Recreational mathematics, says Singmaster, is something that a lot of people can do. The tools are simple -- often just pencil and paper. All it takes is a lot of patience and persistence. That's something that all of the conference participants seemed to have in common.

But beware. Once a puzzle takes hold, it demands attention. Daniel Ullman of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., remarks on one problem he wrestled with recently: "I wasted most of January, February and March on it."

That's one of the surest signs that a recreational mathematician is at work.

COPYRIGHT 1986 Science Service, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

 

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