> Even one doing math for fun can end up spending all their time solving math puzzles that are created just to be math puzzles and which don't tie into any grea

> Even one doing math for fun can end up spending all their time solving math puzzles that are created just to be math puzzles and which don't tie into any greater discoveries. Numberphile had a good take on 'recreational maths' with their video on the loops and strings in pi. Dr. Crawford has a good bit near the end (~12:30 mark) on how these techniques lead to bigger discoveries. The 'playing' around and the methods generated often lead to much deeper truths in math, and serve as very good practice for new mathematicians. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W20aT14t8Pw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W20aT14t8Pw