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The subject can include other topics such as the Aesthetics of mathematics, and peculiar or amusing stories and coincidences about mathematics and mathematicians. Its greatest contribution is its ability to pique curiosity and inspire the further study of mathematics. Some of the more well known topics in recreational mathematics are and Puzzles . In short, puzzles have zero or one "players" and games have two or more players. MATHEMATICAL GAMES See Also: Mathematical games These curiosities involve two or more players which try to win, or at least not lose. Games of chance and probability are covered in the field of Game Theory , while games of no chance are analyzed using Combinatorial Game Theory (a relatively new topic invented by John Horton Conway ). Sometimes mathematical puzzles (below) are referred to as games as well. MATHEMATICAL PUZZLES See Also: Mathematical puzzles In most puzzles, there is no interaction between two sides who are trying to achieve a goal before the other, but rather one (or no) person trying to find a solution that satisfies conditions in a problem. There is also the smaller group of so called "puzzles" that are just an interesting thing or pattern such as Conway's Game Of Life or Fractals . Do not confuse with Mathematical Games , as puzzles are often referred to. OTHER Other curiosities and pastimes of non-trivial mathematical interest:
PUBLICATIONS The '' Journal Of Recreational Mathematics '' is the largest publication on this topic. ''Mathematical Games'' was the title of a long-running column on the subject by Martin Gardner in Scientific American . He inspired several new generations of mathematicians and scientists through his interest in mathematical recreations. ''Mathematical Games'' was succeeded by '' Metamagical Themas '', a similarly distinguished but shorter-running column by Douglas Hofstadter , and afterwards by '' Mathematical Recreations '', a column by Ian Stewart . IN POPULAR CULTURE In the '' Doctor Who '' episode " 42 ", The Doctor completes a sequence of Happy Primes , then complains that schools no longer teach recreational mathematics. '' The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime '', a book about a young boy with Aspergers Syndrome , discusses many mathematical games and puzzles. PEOPLE The foremost advocates of recreational mathematics have included:
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