MATHEMATIC AS A FIELD OF RECREATION

Momath, the National Museum of Mathematics in New York says that mathematic as
a field of recreation is the mathematics of various entertaining subjects. There are
two requisites for something to be considered as recreation math. Which is, it is a fun
challenge connected in some way to math and it can be easily explained, even to a
novice. Mathematic as a field of recreation is simply known as the interconnection of
different fields of math, art, puzzle, magic and music.

Martin Gardner is also known as the father of recreational mathematics, has

influenced the world with his mathematical games column in Scientific American,
which ran for 25 years.

(Martin Gardner)

There are popular math activities around the world that connected to recreational
math. Recreational math surround the following area:

 Mathematical Puzzle
 Mathematical Games
 Logic
 Magic
 Math and the arts
 Number theory
 Math humor

Correlation of Mathematics with recreation

Recreational activities have a great role in mathematics learning and developing
various skills in solving problem as well as developing creative and logical thinking.
In one way recreational mathematics is also a pure mathematics and is often difficult
to distinguish pure mathematic from recreational mathematic.
Examples of recreational mathematics.
1) Mathematical games
-Mathematical games are multiplayer games whose rules, strategies, and
outcomes can be studied and explained by mathematics. In this area, players
maybe not need to use mathematics.

For example, mancala is a mathematical game, because mathematicians can

study it using combinatorial game theory

2) Math Puzzles
-Mathematical puzzles requires mathematics in order to solve them. They
have specific rules but this type of game does not involve competitions
between players. Instead in order to solve such a puzzle, the solver or player
must find a solution that satisfies the given conditions.

3) Rubik’s Cube
-The most famous of recent puzzles is the Rubik’s Cube invented by the
Hungarian Erno Ruik. The cube consists of 3 x 3 x 3 smaller cubes which, in
the initial configurations, are coloured so that the 6 faces of the cube are
coloured in 6 distinct colours.
 Solving the cube shows the importance of conjugates and commutators in a
group. Playing rubik’s cube can improve our memory, patience, problem
solving skills, speed, and also keep our mind active. That is why playing
rubik’s cube can help with our math skills.

4) Tangrams
-The tangram is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven that shapes which are
put together to form shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific
shape using all seven pieces which will not overlap.

The pedagogic value of recreational mathematics is now widely recognized which in

turn help the low achievers of mathematics and converting them into a lover of
mathematics by removing fear-psychosis from their minds towards the subject. For a
lover of mathematics, there is all beauty. One finds a huge treasure of pleasure after
getting success in the solution of a Mathematics problem. It was the reason why
Pythagoras sacrificed hundred oxen to the Goddess for celebrating his discovery of
the theorem that goes by his name.
Role of Recreational Activities in Mathematics Learning
Recreational activities are not only about fun and confidence building but also, help
students to

 Understand Mathematical concept

 Develop Mathematical skills
 Know mathematical facts
 Lean the language of mathematics
 Develop ability in mental thinking reasoning.

Benefits of recreational Math to kids?

1) Motivation

-Motivating students to learn and put math principle into play can prove very
difficult. With puzzle of games which is recreational Math, students will be
motivated to play games while they will learn about math principle and
problem solving.

2) Self-Guiding

-once they understand how to do a puzzle such as Sudoku, they won’t need
to be supervised. They learn as they go it has been prove that, students can
move through a variety of increasingly harder games as they learn more math
skills through math games.

3) Improved Scores

-Students scores will improve fro playing games and puzzles. This is because
they love to play games. Students who learn math through games have more
success in remembering the lessons taught. They can also learn skills in
solving grid puzzles. This games will help them to solve math problems.

So, the question is “what is the use of recreational mathematics?

Answer: Recreational math uses games to help students understand many of the
concept in mathematics at a very young age. For the teachers who are searching for
ways to engage students in math, it proves another strategy. It’s one that has proven
successful for many. Teachers can use games, puzzles, art, music, magic to teach
students about math problems, concepts, calculations and many more. Not only that,
it can help students to improve scores. Students who learn math through games
have more success in remembering the lessons and they can also learn skills in
solving grid puzzles that they will later use in solving math problems.
References:

1) https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/recreational-math/0/steps/43511
2) https://www.slideshare.net/iammridul/recreational-mathematics
3) https://ce.fresno.edu/news/what-is-recreational-math-and-how-can-it-help-
students