Author Archives: Avery Carr

About Avery Carr

Avery Carr is a senior analyst and past senior editor for the American Mathematical Society Grad Blog. He and his wife, Alison, live in Olive Branch, MS.

Newcomb’s Paradox

In the realm of mathematical puzzles and thought experiments one can find a stock pile of paradoxes.   The Mariam-Webster Dictionary defines a paradox as “an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction from acceptable premises.”  One short example … Continue reading

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The Kryptos Cipher

The famous artist Pablo Picasso once said, “ Sculpture is the art of the intelligence.”  These words have taken shape in winding curves and patterns spawned by artistic imagination ever since.     Picasso’s  words have even found a home … Continue reading

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Union-Closed Buckets

In the mines of mathematical conundrums there are a few gems that shine brightly.   Such problems are illuminated with the delight of recreational enjoyment.    Whether it be folding unique shapes with paper or exploring the elementary nature of prime numbers, these … Continue reading

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Party At Ramsey’s

“Why mathematics?”  is a question that greets me on occasion from friends and acquaintances wanting to delve into a casual conversation about the subject.   Many times I will start out by offering a recreational math example, such as the … Continue reading

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A Reply From Freeman Dyson

When I was an undergrad at the University of Memphis the awe of physics and  mathematics held my interests firmly.   I would attend weekly seminars in physics that were furnished with nice refreshments.   Whether it would be a … Continue reading

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