CORE 460 - Math Magic, Logic, Puzzles and Games

Fulfills a Rhode Island Department of Education requirement for Middle and High School Certification in Teaching Mathematics in the area of problem solving.
Delivery: Lecture
Goonies-like adventures with treasures, maps and puzzles have fascinated children and adults of all times. We will explore and solve a variety of art and optic illusions, logic problems, play games and consider winning strategies, puzzle our way through past and present brain teasers, and learn about that fascinating human need for mental stimulation and reward. At the same time, we will observe how recreational math facilitates social interaction, challenges our perceptions and assumptions, entices us to consider other points of view, and builds relationships. Lastly, we will look at the historical background of various types of logic, puzzles, and games, consider cultural influences, and contemporary interdisciplinary applications in art, literacy, architecture, entertainment, math, and education.

3 credits
Fall and Spring, Special Offerings