Mathematics is a term considered to be one of the most important means of knowledge for humans. Yet this learning can be compared to many different things: art, painting, music, literature, but also a game. Mathematics can be described as similar to a game because it involves many fundamentally similar things. For example, chess. Mathematics is very similar to chess for several reasons: the first is that in both mathematics and chess the rules are arbitrary, secondly, both are abstract, thirdly, both are deterministic and finally, they each have a elaborate technical language[1]. These four similarities allow us to compare mathematics to a game devoid of extrinsic meaning. (Where extrinsic means outside of itself). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The first comparison between mathematics and chess is that the rules are arbitrary. This is easily proven, as chess has a distinct set of rules that cannot be changed during play. A knight will always move w squares in a cardinal direction, then one square above, and can always “jump” over pieces. A king can always move one square in any direction (unless it puts him in check or it is a castling move). These rules of the game create the game called chess. The rules themselves, however, are completely arbitrary. A long time ago, someone created the game of chess based solely on their own ideas of a game to play. For this reason, chess can be modified: checkers, or a version of chess where you try to lose, exists simply by changing a few rules. Similarly, in mathematics, the rules that determine how the mathematics is performed are the axioms from which that mathematics is derived. If these axioms are followed (like the rules of a chess game), then a game can be played and the mathematics can be extrapolated to create theorems, etc. Additionally, just like in chess, the rules are arbitrary because the axioms can be changed. completely changed, which will result in a new type of mathematics, for example non-Euclidean geometry. Then these new axioms result in their own “game” and are played. So mathematics and chess have arbitrary rules. The second comparison between the two is that they are both abstract. At first it is a shock, because we are used to playing chess on a chessboard with pieces, and mathematics always comes with a piece of paper and something to write on. However, chess can be played entirely mentally. The table can simply be viewed; parts put in place and moved. It is not necessary to have a chess board to play chess, and this can manifest itself in the mind of the player(s). Likewise, mathematics requires nothing other than the mind to create and discover. According to Poincaré, mathematics can simply be thought about and then the subconscious mind will solve the problem to create theories and new ideas about mathematics. No work is needed in the real world, everything can be done in the mind. [2] Third, mathematics and chess are deterministic, meaning that no matter what happens, everything in mathematics and chess has already been done, or can be done, and will be done again. For example, in chess, every way a knight can move will always be the way a knight can move, and every move.