How Mathematicians Think (IN-PERSON)

How Mathematicians Think (IN-PERSON)

Fall (9 - 13 hours) | This course is completed

One Court Street Lebanon, NH 03766 United States

Room 2B

10/3/2022-11/7/2022

12:30 PM-2:30 PM EDT on Mon

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$65.00

My objective for this study group is that you get some idea how a typical mathematician thinks about situations. For example:

  • You are driving a long distance on a boring road, say an interstate. What do you think about to keep from going to sleep?
  • You read in the press that last week in Vermont 5% of people tested positive for the Covid-19. What does this number mean?
  • Your mathematical friend has a personal card with a strange symbol involving dots and arrows. What’s this about?

In this study group I will present every-day situations and problems as a basis for discussion of how a mathematician may approach them. We will use the “Feynman technique” for understanding mathematical ideas: describe abstract concepts with simple examples rather than try to follow an abstract chain of definitions and theorems. Students are welcome to propose problems of their own.

  • I expect students to engage in a discussion of the problems. Fear not—a so-called dumb question is a first step to understanding, even for the experts. I and your fellow students will try to use any statement as a starting point for an enlightening discussion.

    I don’t foresee assigned readings except for an occasional essay of mine. It will be helpful to have some understanding of mathematics equivalent to a high school education. A more important requirement is curiosity about mathematics and a willingness to stretch your mind.

     
Angwin, George

George Angwin earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Chicago. He has been an electronics technician on a US Navy destroyer, college mathematics professor, and, for most of his career, a Silicon Valley engineer. He now handles editing, publishing, distribution, and collecting royalties for his wife’s books. George also likes to learn about new things, his most recent inquiries are bitcoin (and thus money) and killer sudoku puzzles.