Recreational Mathematics

Recreational Mathematics is a branch of mathematics that is done for self-education and enjoyment. Some examples of recreational mathematics are logic puzzles, chess, origami, and tic-tac-toe. Many students think of themselves as “not a math person” and dread math classes. I explored this branch of mathematics to get a better understanding of it and to speculate how it can be used in the classroom. I did a self-study on many different types of recreational mathematics. Throughout the process I kept a record of the different types of thinking and problem solving involved in completing the puzzle or game. Many traditional games involve a wide variety of mathematical thinking and reasoning that align with current educational standards. Recreational mathematics is often overlooked in schools in favor of what is seen as a more rigorous curriculum. Students would benefit from the use of recreational mathematics in the classroom by showing mathematics in a more fun and approachable light