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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.
Author Archives: evelynjlamb
It’s Not a Trick, It’s an Illusion
I’ve stumbled on the Best Illusion of the Year Contest a few times, but this is the first year I’ve thought about the illusions mathematically. Dave Richeson wrote two posts about this illusion by Kokichi Sugihara, one of the top … Continue reading
Posted in Recreational Mathematics
Tagged Dave Richeson, math, mathematics, optical illusions
1 Comment
Back-to-School Blogs
I have spent almost every August since I was five years old getting ready for the beginning of school, so it’s a little strange this year not to be shopping for binders and pencils, buying textbooks, or preparing lesson plans. … Continue reading
Posted in Math Education
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Meta Blogs on Math Blogs
Blogging about math blogs is an inherently meta activity, and today it’s going to get even more meta because I’m writing about the Carnival of Mathematics, which Anna and I will be hosting here on this very blog next month. The … Continue reading
Posted in Publishing in Math
Tagged carnival of mathematics
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Picture This!
I doubt I’m the only person who sees the front cover of a math book or a conference poster and wants to know more about the picture. That’s why I was excited that when the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics … Continue reading
Posted in Applied Math
Tagged Anna Seigal, applied topology, cat pictures, graduate school, math, mathematics, Rachael Boyd
1 Comment
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
Enchanted
There are only 12 posts on Jim Propp’s blog Mathematical Enchantments so far, and they are all superb. Propp is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and his blog is different from a lot of blogs I read. … Continue reading
Posted in Math Communication
Tagged Fermat's Last Theorem, Jim Propp, math, mathematical enchantments, mathematics
2 Comments
Beyond Euro-American Mathematics
A New York Times op-ed by Jay L. Garfield and Bryan W. Van Norden earlier this month calls out university philosophy departments for their lack of diversity. “We therefore suggest that any department that regularly offers courses only on Western philosophy … Continue reading
Straws Thingys and Other Mathematical Sculptures
I love an abstract math pondering session as much as the next mathematician (or at least within epsilon), but there’s something immensely satisfying about coming back down to earth and using your hands to make something. At some point last … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics and the Arts
Tagged mathematical crafts, Straws Thingy, tetrahedron, things you can make, Zachary Abel
1 Comment
Fold Your Way to Glory
Yesterday, I led a meeting of a Teachers’ Math Circle about the fold and cut theorem. This theorem says any region with a polygonal boundary can be folded and cut from a sheet of paper using only one cut. I … Continue reading
Posted in Math Education, Mathematics and the Arts
Tagged erik demaine, fold and cut theorem, joel david hamkins, kate owens, katie steckles, math teachers circle, Mike Lawler, Mikesmathpage, numberphile, origami
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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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