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Opinions expressed on these pages were the views of the writers and did not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the American Mathematical Society.
Category Archives: Events
As The Dust Settles, Let’s Check The Numbers
I really didn’t want to write about the election. But probably, much like you, it’s all I can think about right now. News media is completely saturated with it and the blogs are churning out a steady stream of predictions … Continue reading
Posted in Data Science, Events, Issues in Higher Education
Tagged Cathy O'Neil, Chronicle of Higher Ed, Election, Polling
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How Polling Works…Or Doesn’t Work
From the perpetual pit in my stomach, to the sleepless nights, to the eyes bloodshot from peering at endless forecast models and polling predictions, only one thing can be true: the election is nigh upon us. In a time of … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Statistics, Uncategorized
Tagged Election Forecasting, Mathematical Modeling, Polling
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2, 4, 6, 8, It’s Almost Time to Tessellate
This Friday, June 17, is the inaugural World Tessellation Day. I am normally skeptical of attempts to create new holidays, but I am so fond of filling up the plane with shapes that I just can’t help myself. Emily Grosvenor … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Mathematics and the Arts
Tagged geometry, M. C. Escher, mathematics and the arts, tessellation, tiling, world tessellation day
3 Comments
Functions Too Cool For Facebook. But Don’t Worry, We’ve Got You Covered
Today is the official launch of the L-functions and modular forms database. The LMFDB is a database containing all the relevant information about millions of mathematical objects. Set up like a Facebook for mathematical objects — by objects I mean … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Number Theory
Tagged Emmanuel Kowalski, encryption, LMFDB, Riemann Hypothesis, terry tao, Tim Gowers
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Math and Verbal Gymnastics
We are coming to the end of Math Awareness Month, whose theme this year was The Future of Predictions. A clever theme name, indeed. I do love when mathematics and verbal gymnastics come together. And on that theme of math … Continue reading
Posted in Events
Tagged Bob Grumman, JoAnne Growney, Karl Kempton, Math Awareness Month, National Poetry Month
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How to Celebrate Square Root Day
Apparently today, 4/4/16, is Square Root Day. (I supposed we could also have celebrated 4/2 to have a long Square Root Weekend.) How should a math enthusiast celebrate this holiday, which won’t come again until May 2025? Of course, one option … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Recreational Mathematics
Tagged mathematical knitting, mathematical sewing, p-adic numbers, square root day
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How Math Can Help You Avoid Talking about Politics at the Holidays
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m sure your wonderful family is the exception, but sometimes holiday dinner conversations can veer into unpleasant territory. If you don’t have Adele to bail you out, math blogs are here to help. (When your only tool is a … Continue reading
Posted in Events
Tagged holiday math, holidays, linkfest, math, mathematics
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Meanwhile Over In Computer Science
An algorithm has just been proposed for solving the graph isomorphism problem in quasipolynomial time, dealing a serious blow to hard problems all over the world. But let me first explain what all of those words mean. Graphs, you’ll recall, … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Mathematics and Computing
Tagged complexity theory, Gabriel Gaster, graph theory, Jeremy Kun, Laszlo Babai, Luca Trevisan, P vs NP, Scott Aaronson
2 Comments
Happy Deep Fried Torus Day
Last Friday was National Doughnut Day and I hope everyone celebrated accordingly. Aside from being delicious with a cup of coffee, these sweet treats are a great way to think about math. From simple brain teasers to advances in quantum … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Math Education
Tagged BedtimeMath, Mathesia, Mathjokes4mathyfolks, National Doughnut Day, YummyMath
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The Pi Day Link Roundup of the Century
We made it through the “Pi Day of the century” on Saturday. I took a spontaneous day trip to meet friends in Idaho, so I didn’t do any pi-related activities, but I saw plenty of pi coverage in the week leading … Continue reading