PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2015
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
”What if we put this on the floor?”: Mathematical play as a mathematical practice
Page: 501
Mathematical play, as a mathematical practice, can be defined as the exploration of mathematical ideas in uninhibited and unconstrained ways, which could include engagement with physical devices, computer programs, imaginative acts, social interactions, and inscriptions. In this preliminary report I will discuss mathematical play and the ways in which it transpired in an undergraduate Foundation of Geometry course in which students engaged in activities to develop an understanding of physical, synthetic and analytic aspects of projective geometry. Additionally, I will discuss the ways in which mathematical play can be fostered through engagement in mathematically inspired art projects, as well as other artistic engagement.