The Fascination of Mathematics – Everything That’s Round

Mathematics, the “art of learning,” first flourished in Mesopotamia, India, China, and ancient Greece. As a science, it is not strictly defined today and, due to its abstract structures, is sometimes the bane of schoolchildren and even adults; yet there is another way: Mathematics does not have to be dry and tedious, says Dr. Werner Neundorf, former mathematics lecturer at the Technical University of Ilmenau and author of the book “Die Mathematische Zauberkiste” (The Mathematical Magic Box). Mathematics does not necessarily always have to involve calculations. Many entertaining problems, puzzles, games, and even magic tricks are based on mathematical principles. In his lecture as part of the TU Ilmenau Bürger Campus, Dr. Werner Neundorf presents dice in a completely different light—along with pretzels, knots, monkey fists, and car rims—in a vivid and magical way.