What are some mathematically productive ways to waste time? [closed]

Solution 1:

Project Euler: is a series of challenging mathematical/computer programming problems that will require more than just mathematical insights to solve. Although mathematics will help you arrive at elegant and efficient methods, the use of a computer and programming skills will be required to solve most problems.

Solving Project Euler problems is an interesting and addicting pastime.

This Mathoverflow question has a good collection of games that are both popular and mathematical. Some examples are set, hex and lights out.

Math puzzles for dinner is another Mathoverflow post which has lot of interesting answers.

Solution 2:

How about inventing games with dice or coins, and then analyzing them?

Solution 3:

Learn a little coding (for example python) and practise with old problems from the google coding championships.

Solution 4:

Try to do putnam competition tests. You don't really learn a lot of theory but it's a good exercise in coming up with proofs.