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Mathematical Treasure: Mathematical Playing Cards

Author(s): 
Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

These images are selected from a deck of English playing cards, created approximately 1702, that all bear images of instruments used in surveying, navigation, mining, engineering, astronomy, and the like.

2 of spades from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 3 of spades from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

4 of spades from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. Jack of spades from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

Queen of spades from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 2 of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 

3 of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 4 of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

5 of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 7 of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

Ace of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. King of hearts from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

2 of diamonds from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 3 of diamond from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

6 of diamonds from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 9 of diamonds from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

Ace of diamonds from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. Queen of diamonds from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

3 of clubs from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. 4 of clubs from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

10 of clubs from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards. Ace of clubs from 1702 deck of mathematical playing cards.

These images are available courtesy of the New York Public Library.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Mathematical Playing Cards," Convergence (April 2021)

Convergence
Tags: 
History of Mathematics
Engineering Mathematics
Mathematics in Western Culture