Just for Fun
Fun math things!
Take a look at the small library on my desk. If you'd like to check out a book, please let me know!
Vi Hart's blog explores math through doodling videos and also through music, with lots of other interesting areas in between. She also has a fascinating YouTube channel with my one of my favorite videos being about, well, you'll see.
A series of articles on the elements of math in the New York Times by Steven Strogatz exploring major highlights in the world of math and how math connects to the "real world" and other areas of study.
Also by Strogatz, a six part series (also in the NY Times) about how math relates to us as humans.
Here's a daily updated website full of puzzles. I particularly enjoy Kakuro and Bridges.
In the same vein of logic puzzles, KenKen is also really fun!
The most powerful calculator and knowledge search engine I've seen is by far WolframAlpha. Try typing in math (any kind of math). Then try chemistry. Then try anything at all. I sometimes like to type in dates and see exactly how many days it is until that date.
If you're ever bored, and have lots of paper around, especially colored paper, origami is a great way to go. Who knew so many different objects could be created out of a square?
Modular origami is particularly interesting. The Sonobe module can be used to create some fun things, like a cube or a capped icosahedron (details here). You just need lots of same-oriented units and some patience.
Speaking of modular origami, if you have some used NYC MetroCards lying around, why not put them to use to make this triacontahedron, a 30 sided figure. Here's a how-to video from my professor, who dubs the shape a dimpled cuboctahedron.
See the bulletin board behind my desk for examples of origami!
Fascinating "what if" type questions answered using math and science! One of my favorites might be, what if the earth was covered in a mole (the number: 6.02 * 1023) of moles (the furry creatures). Also, here are the related, usually math-inspired comic strips which are always entertaining (warning: sometimes contains content for more mature audiences).
Not math, but perhaps the cutest comics I've seen in a while that sure put a smile on my face.