Tagged Questions
30
votes
14answers
602 views
How to entertain a crowd with mathematics? [closed]
I am a high school student who follows a university level curriculum, and recently my teacher asked me to hold a short lecture to a crowd of about 100 people (mostly parents of my classmates and such, ...
3
votes
2answers
80 views
Recreational number theory problem
Suppose we have a positive integer $n$ that has exactly three distinct prime factors, say $p,q, r$. How can we find a formula for the number of positive integers $\leq n$ that are divisible by none of ...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Wolves and chicks puzzle
This problem is from the handheld video game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village.
I think the solution is very cool, but more than that, I want to know how to show that the minimum number of ...
0
votes
4answers
104 views
How to verify method used to solve integral was actually the fastest?
Is there any way to verify if the method I chose to integrate (by hand) was indeed fastest, or if there exists some better technique? Can a computer tell me or show me what the fastest method was, ...
266
votes
115answers
13k views
What was the first bit of mathematics that made you realize that math is beautiful? (For children's book)
I'm a children's book writer and illustrator, and I want to to create a book for young readers that exposes the beauty of Mathematics. I recently read Paul Lockhart's essay "The Mathematician's ...
16
votes
3answers
813 views
Why should Rubik's cube get attention from mathematicians?
I've seen a lot of math debate, calculations and other stuff related to Rubik's cube lately, but I don't really understand why is it important, why should anyone spend time asking and answering ...
8
votes
4answers
170 views
Number theory fun problem
Say $a,b > 2 $ are integers. Then we have that $2^a + 1$ is not divisible by $2^b - 1$.
Any thoughts on how to tackle this problem???
2
votes
1answer
84 views
What is the difference in chance, based on foreknowledge of the resolution?
I'm working to understand the differences between Odds, Probability and Chance. I've come up with a hypothetical situation to show where I'm having a bit of an issue.
Chad shuffles a standard deck ...
8
votes
0answers
118 views
Is there a collection of alternative mathematical notation? (Semi-soft Question)
I'm interested in alternative systems of notation for mathematics. I've often heard how mathematical notation is illogical, inconsistent, filled with grandfather clauses that serve no purpose, and ...
3
votes
0answers
56 views
Is there a way to determine how many solution does “ The hundred Fowls problems” have looking at the coefficients?
I was looking at the different versions of the hundred fowls problems. I came across the problem posed by Chinese mathematicians posed in 5th century,and then Indians in 9th, 10th centuries. Alcuin of ...
0
votes
2answers
131 views
Mathematical doodle games
Vi Hart's doodling videos and a 4 year old son interested in mazes has made me wonder:
What are some interesting mathematical "doodling" diversions/games that satisfy the following criteria:
1) They ...
1
vote
1answer
162 views
Basis for functions other than the exponential functions
This question is motivated by Fourier and Laplace transforms. Recall that both transforms are intuitively representation of a function as a combination of $g_k(t) = e^{kt}$, i.e., a function $f(t)$ ...
11
votes
8answers
483 views
What would be a good outdoor maths puzzle for children?
I have to find an interesting activity for some 11-year-olds moving to high school this year. It is supposed to take about 30-45 minutes, and I thought of having a mathematical theme. I can make a ...
2
votes
2answers
200 views
Opinions on foundational math materials to teach 8th grade, 9th grade kids at a Summer Camp
I have been asked to teach mathematics/physics to a few 8th grade/9th grade kids for a summer camp. I have been thinking about it and I realized that I could go about it in two ways: One of the ways ...
3
votes
6answers
630 views
Math Jeopardy Answers and Questions (community wiki) [closed]
This question is just for fun, and should be community wiki, but I don't know how to set that here.
Just as on Jeopardy, give an answer as the clue. Bonus points if the answer is in the Jeopardy ...
3
votes
0answers
197 views
What is known about functions of type $f(n+1) = f(n)^ {f(n)}$?
Update : having looked at Knut's Double Arrow Notation ( Thank you DJC), it seems that this question is nothing more than a frivourless wondering that should be undertaken by whom ever wonders it, it ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Which books would you recommend about Recreational Mathematics?
By this I mean books with math puzzles and problems similar to the ones you would find in mathematical olympiads.
