Gardner’s Two Tribes

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Avery Carr

imgresMathematical conundrums are not always the product of academic rigor.   Sometimes they come from a recreational playground built on the foundation of logic and unique understanding.   Beyond numbers and sets, mathematical thinking is rooted in the ability to extract patterns and make non-intuitive connections.  The late Scientific American Mathematical Games columnist and writer, Martin Gardner was a master at communicating such patterns.  Subsequently, his expositions influenced generations of math hobbyists and professional mathematicians alike. In reviewing Gardner’s book, The Colossal Book Of Mathematics,  Dr. Persi Diaconis of Stanford University stated , “Warning: Martin Gardner has turned dozens of innocent youngsters into math professors and thousands of math professors into innocent youngsters…”

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Posted in AMS, Math Games, Mathematics in Society | 1 Comment

Math Software

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Maya Sharma

Happy back-to-school, everyone! I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the academic year. One of the more interesting things from my school year thus far is learning to use Gambit in my game theory class. Gambit is an open-source program that lets you set up decision trees for multiplayer games and then solve them. Since I have started using it, I have been thinking more about different kinds of mathematical software. Continue reading →

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My New Teaching Assistantship: iSTEM

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Tyler Clark

IMG_3152This school year, I have a new teaching assistantship at the University of Central Florida. I am part of the Initiatives in STEM (iSTEM) program which includes the EXCEL and COMPASS programs at UCF. The goals of iSTEM are [1]:

  • To bring coherence to the many externally and internally STEM funded projects at UCF.
  • To increase grant and philanthropic funding efforts that support STEM education and related research by bringing together interested participants from throughout UCF and from outside UCF.
  • To position UCF in Florida and nationally as a hub for STEM education and related research.
  • To improve the STEM pipeline and produce a better STEM workforce.

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Odd Weird Numbers

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Avery Carr

Colorful-Numbers-1331834Common intuition is a clandestine notion hidden behind the wall of mathematical formalism.  Elaborate systems that dispose of specification in favor of complete abstraction are merely derived from basic understanding.   Axiomatic truths build elegant mathematical structures layered by bricks of minor principles.  In example, by using only three postulates the entire theory of Calculus can be constructed.

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Posted in AMS, General, Math, Mathematics in Society, Mathematics Online, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Shijie Gu

nsflogoHere’s a new Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) supported by NSF.  I think Math PhD candidates may have interest in it.

Application Deadline(s) (received by 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time):

November 05, 2013

Mathematical Sciences; Chemistry; Physics and Astronomy

General Information

Program Title:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Synopsis of Program:

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF’s mission. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research.

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