T J. he articles in this book are dedicated to Martin Gardner, the world's
greatest expositor and popularizer of mathematics. While our papers are
confined to this single subject, Gardner's interests and accomplishments
have a wide range of subjects. Hence, we have entitled the book the
Mathematical Gardner, and would like to see other volumes such as the
Magical, the Literary, the Philosophical, or the Scientific Gardner accompany it.
Of course, our title is also an appropriate pun, for Martin Gardner's
relationship to the mathematical community is similar to a gardener's
relationship to a beautiful flower garden. The contributors to this volume
comprise only a small part of a large body of mathematicians whose work
has been nurtured by its exposition in "Mathematical Games": Martin's
column, which appeared every month in Scientific American through
December 1981. More than just a mathematical journalist, Martin connects his
readers by passing along problems and information and stimulating creative
activity. Thus, he is a force behind the scenes as well as a public figure.