Numerical curiosities, brain teasers, tangrams, palindromes, and magic squares seem to be as old as time itself. “The Game is On,” an upcoming exhibit to be located on the 5th floor of the Bizzell Memorial Library, will trace mathematical games and puzzles through time and culture, showcasing items from the History of Science Collections and the Nichols Rare Book Collection.
From brain teasers written in Latin, “The Tower of Hanoi” problem in German, through to flights of fancy through Flatland and Alice in Wonderland, the exhibit will explore the connections of recreational mathematics across multiple disciplines. Also highlighted will be works from recreational mathematics contributors with local connections including Martin Gardner, and former OU professor emeritus of mathematics, Nathan A. Court.