When we think of mathematics, we think of calculation, of order, of precision, and perhaps of functional tools to get work done. Spreadsheets, architectural plans, number-crunching big data for encrypted communications or a cure for cancer, mathematics is serious and mathematics means work. When we consider math in terms of the Arts, we might think of music as an oft-touted example, or maybe as a basis for simple games such as flashcards or Monopoly, but they are tangents, not deep drivers of the field. This talk, then, seeks to dispel all of that. The focus of this presentation is on mathematics as a tool for play, for entertainment, and magic in the modern era. In virtual worlds like Titanfall to feature Hollywood productions, recreational mathematics form the core of our entertainment landscape in a variety of ways. From fractals and analytic geometry to trigonometry, calculus, and discrete mathematics, human beings incorporate our best understanding of mathematics to create our play spaces and tell each other stories. In the legacy of Martin Gardner, this talk explores the ways we use mathematics to engage, entertain, play and learn in the world today, with appreciation and respect for his work in promoting recreational mathematics throughout his career. Come explore the magic of math, and the creativity inherent in calculation. Director Phelps will present this talk on Thursday, March 27th at St. John Fisher College in the Skalny Auditorium as the kick-off event for their series on Mathematics Awareness Month.
