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Recreational mathematics
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== Topics == Some of the more well-known topics in recreational mathematics are [[Rubik's Cube]]s, [[magic squares]], [[fractals]], [[logic puzzle]]s and [[mathematical chess problem]]s, but this area of mathematics includes the [[aesthetics]] and [[culture]] of mathematics, peculiar or amusing stories and [[mathematical coincidence|coincidences about mathematics]], and the personal lives of [[mathematician]]s. ===Mathematical games=== [[Mathematical game]]s are [[multiplayer game]]s whose rules, strategies, and outcomes can be studied and explained using [[mathematics]]. The players of the game may not need to use explicit mathematics in order to play mathematical games. For example, [[Mancala]] is studied in the mathematical field of [[combinatorial game theory]], but no mathematics is necessary in order to play it. ===Mathematical puzzles=== [[Mathematical puzzle]]s require mathematics in order to solve them. They have specific rules, as do [[multiplayer game]]s, but mathematical puzzles do not usually involve competition between two or more players. Instead, in order to solve such a [[puzzle]], the solver must find a solution that satisfies the given conditions. [[Logic puzzle]]s and [[classical cipher]]s are common examples of mathematical puzzles. [[Cellular automata]] and [[fractals]] are also considered mathematical puzzles, even though the solver only interacts with them by providing a set of initial conditions. As they often include or require game-like features or thinking, mathematical puzzles are sometimes also called mathematical games. === Mathemagics === [[Magic tricks]] based on mathematical principles can produce self-working but surprising effects. For instance, a [[mathemagician]] might use the [[combinatorics|combinatorial]] properties of a deck of [[Standard 52-card deck|playing cards]] to guess a volunteer's selected card, or [[Hamming codes]] to identify whether a volunteer is lying.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Teixeira|first=Ricardo|title=Mathemagics: A Magical Journey through Advanced Mathematics|publisher=World Scientific|year=2020|isbn=9789811214509|location=USA}}</ref> ===Other activities=== Other curiosities and pastimes of non-trivial mathematical interest include: * patterns in [[juggling]] * the sometimes profound algorithmic and geometrical characteristics of [[origami]] * patterns and process in creating [[string figure]]s such as [[Cat's cradle]]s, etc. * [[fractal-generating software]]
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