Martin Gardner Reading Group | Spring 2024

Reading Group on Martin Gardner’s Games and Puzzles

by Jyothi Krishnan

Spring 2024 (Jan/Feb)

About the Meetups

This is a reading group based on games and puzzles described by Martin Gardner across his various books and columns. Curated and presented by Jyothi Krishnan.

Target Audience

You will find these meetings interesting if any of the following is relatable:

• you enjoy puzzles and/or games
• you are a Martin Gardner fan
• you are generally math-curious

Prerequisites

We make no assumptions, although we appreciate everyone bringing their enthusiasm along :)

References

1. Hexaflexagons And Other Mathematical Diversions · The First Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Games by Martin Gardner
2. The Second Scientific American Book Of Mathematical Puzzles And Diversions by Martin Gardner
3. New Mathematical Diversions by Martin Gardner · The Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
4. The Unexpected Hanging And Other Mathematical Diversions · A Classic Collection of Puzzles and Games From Scientific American · Martin Gardner
5. The Sixth Book of Mathematical Diversions by Martin Gardner
6. Mathematical Carnival by Martin Gardner · The Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
7. Mathematical Magic Show by Martin Gardner · The Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
8. Mathematical Circus by Martin Gardner · The Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
9. The Magic Numbers of Dr. MATRIX by Martin Gardner · Prometheus Books Buffalo, New York
10. Wheels, Life and Other Mathematical Amusements by Martin Gardner · W. H. Freeman and Company, New York
11. Knotted Doughnuts and Other Mathematical Entertainments by Martin Gardner · W. H. Freeman and Company, New York
12. Penrose Tiles to Trapdoor Ciphers… And the Return of Dr. Matrix by Martin Gardner · The Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
13. Fractal Music Hypercards and More… Mathematical Recreations from SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN Magazine by Martin Gardner
14. The Last Recreations Hydras, Eggs, and Other Mathematical Mystifications · The final collection of Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games column from Scientific American

Materials

Will be updated.

Timings and Venue

We meet at 9PM IST on all weekdays in January except for the third week. Join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 992 2443 9902, Passcode: gardner) and sign up for reminders below.

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Sign Up for Reminders

If you are a calendar person, you can use this link to add all events to your Google Calendar. This requires you to be signed in. Otherwise, you can sign up for daily reminders at 7PM using the form below.

Acknowledgements. This reading group is led by Jyothi: many thanks to her for volunteering the idea and her time!

Note. Topics are tentative and subject to change. Links to recordings will be added below as we go along. You can find the playlist of the recordings here.