Martin Gardner

Topics: mathematics, learning, creativity

• I've always felt that a teacher can introduce recreational math; and I'm defining it in the very broad sense to include anything that has a spirit of play about it. I don't know of any better way to hook the interests of the students.

  — Martin Gardner

• Mathematical magic combines the beauty of mathematical structure with the entertainment value of a trick.

  — Martin Gardner

• The element of play, which makes recreational mathematics recreational, may take many forms: a puzzle to be solved, a competitive game, a magic trick, paradox, fallacy, or simply mathematics with any sort of curious or amusing fillip.

  — Martin Gardner