How algebra spoiled recreational problems: A case study in the cross-cultural dissemination of mathematics

摘要

This paper deals with a sub-class of recreational problems which are solved by a simple memorized rule resulting from an ele-mentary arithmetical or algebraic solution, called proto-algebraic rules. Their recreational aspect is derived from a surprise or trick solution which is not immediately obvious to the subjects involved. Around 1560 many such problems wane from arithmetic and algebra textbooks to reappear in the eighteenth century. Several hypotheses are investigated why popular Renaissance recreational problems lost their appeal. We arrive at the conclusion that the emergence of algebra as a general problem solving method changed the scope of what is considered recreational in mathematics.