Mathemagician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A mathemagician is a mathematician who is also a magician.
The name "mathemagician" was probably first applied to Martin Gardner, but has since been used to describe many mathematician/magicians, including Art Benjamin[1], Persi Diaconis[2], and Raymond Smullyan. Diaconis has suggested that the reason so many mathematicians are magicians is that "inventing a magic trick and inventing a theorem are very similar activities."[3]
Several fictional characters have also been called mathemagicians, such as Martin Gardner's "Victor Eigen."[4] Additionally, a character in The Phantom Tollbooth is known only as "The Mathemagician."
A mathemagician, voiced by Hank Azaria was also prominently featured at Martin Prince's birthday party in the Simpsons episode Grade School Confidential.
[edit] References
- ^ Albers, Donald J. "Art Benjamin - Mathemagician." Math Horizons, November 1998, 14-18.
- ^ Albers, Donald J. "Professor of
MagicMathematics." Math Horizons, February 1995, 11-15. - ^ Diaconis, Persi. Quoted in: Albers, Donald J. "Professor of
MagicMathematics." Math Horizons, February 1995, 11-15. - ^ Gardner, Martin. New Mathematical Diversions from "Scientific American." Chicago: University of Chicago Pr., 1984.
 |
This mathematics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
