The Mathematical Gardner
In this seminar we will have an “orgy of right-brain tomfoolery” as inspired by the writings of Martin Gardner. For several decades Gardner’s contributions to Scientific American in the form of his column on mathematical games bridged the divide between professional mathematicians and the general public. He shared with us like no other, introducing or popularizing topics such as paper-folding, Hex, polyominoes, four-dimensional ticktacktoe – the list goes on seemingly forever. We will examine these mathematical curiosities and Gardner’s literary style – the former for pure pleasure and the latter in the hopes of emulation.