Jonathan Chait and I may not agree on much when it comes to politics, but we do agree on something when it comes to mathematics--namely, that the laws of arithmetic are immutable. So, when Jenny Kutner, a Salon writer, tries desperately to pretend that Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis did not lose the women's vote--even …
The Fields Medal Has Its First Female Recipient
And she's an Iranian, which I suppose I cannot help but point out with more than a little pride:As an 8-year-old, Maryam Mirzakhani used to tell herself stories about the exploits of a remarkable girl. Every night at bedtime, her heroine would become mayor, travel the world or fulfill some other grand destiny.Today, Mirzakhani — …
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Quote of the Day
. . . In a recent paper, “Constraints on the Universe as a Numerical Simulation,” the physicists Silas R. Beane, Zohreh Davoudi and Martin J. Savage outline a possible method for detecting that our world is actually a computer simulation. Physicists have been creating their own computer simulations of the forces of nature for years — …
Quote of the Day
Diane Herrmann, the co-director of Undergraduate Studies in Mathematics and a Senior Lecturer, described Sally as “a force of nature.” Herrmann worked with Sally as a teacher, mentor and then as a colleague for the past 30 years. “He was passionately interested in mathematical education at all levels,” said Herrmann, who with Sally co-founded the …
In Memoriam: Paul Sally
I didn't take Paul Sally's math class when I was an undergraduate. I wish I did; unlike most professors, Sally was clearly devoted to teaching first and foremost. A rare trait amongst academics (alas). Be sure to read this Q&A as well. The interviewer was Supriya Sinhababu, and the key passage, in my mind, is the following: …
Homer Simpson Almost Solved Fermat’s Last Theorem
Don't believe me? Read.
Everyone Can Be Good at Math
Please spare me protestations to the contrary: “I’m just not a math person.” We hear it all the time. And we’ve had enough. Because we believe that the idea of “math people” is the most self-destructive idea in America today. The truth is, you probably are a math person, and by thinking otherwise, you are possibly hamstringing …
And Hilarity Ensues
A mathematician, a physicist, an economist and an engineer eat at a restaurant.
Bob Moses Is an Inspiration
No, not that one. This one. If we had a few more like him, our education system would be the envy of the world. To get an idea of just how important a figure Moses is, consider the following excerpt: Taylor Branch, a leading historian of the civil rights era, says Moses' Northern roots, quiet …
