Math and Puzzle Fans Find Magic in Martin Gardner's Legacy
Martin Gardner's "Mathematical Games" column inspired many in mathematics and science, fostering a diverse community that appreciates the beauty of math through the Gathering 4 Gardner Foundation's collaborative conferences.
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Martin Gardner, a prominent columnist for Scientific American, significantly influenced the fields of mathematics and recreational puzzles through his "Mathematical Games" column. Despite lacking formal mathematical training, Gardner's unique background as a magician and his extensive publishing career, which included over 100 books, allowed him to engage a wide audience with complex mathematical concepts. His work inspired many readers, some of whom later became notable figures in mathematics and science. The Gathering 4 Gardner Foundation, which hosts a biennial conference, continues to celebrate his legacy by bringing together mathematicians, magicians, and puzzle enthusiasts. The conference has evolved from a small gathering to a large event that fosters creativity and collaboration across disciplines. Participants engage in discussions, share discoveries, and explore the intersection of math, art, and puzzles. Gardner's ability to present challenging ideas in an accessible manner has left a lasting impact, encouraging a diverse community to appreciate the beauty of mathematics and its playful aspects.
- Martin Gardner's "Mathematical Games" column inspired many in mathematics and science.
- The Gathering 4 Gardner Foundation continues to celebrate his legacy through conferences and events.
- Gardner's work made complex mathematical concepts accessible to a broader audience.
- The conference promotes collaboration between mathematicians, artists, and puzzle enthusiasts.
- Gardner's influence persists in the ongoing exploration of recreational mathematics and creativity.
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12 commentsHe goes on to say that it resembles a household item. I can visualise the shape, but I can't think of anything that it looks like. Does anyone know what item it is?
There's a picture here:
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1947363/is-there-a-...
"A carpenter, working with a buzz saw, wishes to cut a wooden cube, three inches on a side, into 27 one-inch cubes. He can do this job easily by making six cuts through the cube, keeping the pieces together in the cube shape. Can he reduce the number of necessary cuts by rearranging the pieces after each cut? Either show how or prove that it’s impossible."
- Martin Gardener
for recreational math:
https://www.gathering4gardner.org/
They have conferences and talks and post on youtube:
Unix was born to play games. And Curses was born for Rogue.
In the present time, I find Simon Singh’s parallel.co.uk has been doing interesting work holding weekly math circles for kids - deftly engaging kids with mathematical ideas. I attend a circle with my 9 yo every Sunday.
https://www.amazon.com/Moscow-Puzzles-Mathematical-Recreatio...
As a youngster they were a source of wonder to me.
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