I read the first sentence: “An island is 2 miles due north of its closest point along a straight shoreline.” Oh God! What the hell does that mean? “Closest point along…blah blah blah” There was no way I could figure this out. About to panic, I took adeep breath. What if I drew a picture? … Read more
I run a seminar series for undergraduate math majors. Our most recent speaker was a graduate student, Brian, a gifted teacher and speaker. He spoke about magic squares. Magic squares are square grids filled with distinct numbers (no repetitions) that along each row,and column, and across the main diagonals the numbers add up to the … Read more
I absolutely cannot stand the number 31. It is so…blah, and, adding insult to injury, it is opinionated. There’s nothing worse than someone who is blah, yet has strong opinions. About what? Then there are those who are right in your face, like the number 57. It is so incredibly obnoxious, always invading my personal … Read more