Free ticketed event
Why isn’t mathematics as popular among Americans as soccer? Those familiar with mathematics see fascinating puzzles, games, patterns, and amazing facts. Could mathematics be introduced in such a way as to appear more appealing, accessible, and understandable to everyone? Could mathematics be introduced in such a way that more students take pleasure in studying math and figuring it out?
Conventional pre-calculus and calculus texts are designed by mathematicians with an aim of deriving logical proofs. On the other hand, our society needs more people capable of performing analytical jobs and making decisions based on mathematical facts and statistics.
This workshop is planned as a forum to address these societal needs by providing more acceptable and reasonable alternative explanations.
Example topics:
Why are we using letters? What is x?
Are variables and unknowns the same or is there a difference?
Can high school algebra really predict the future?
What are functions? What are inverse functions?
What is pi? How can sine and cosine be explained?
What are the three most important words in differential calculus?
Topics raised by attendees will receive top priority. The workshop is comprised mostly of uncluttered slides displaying ideas for teachers to bring to their classes
Mathematics can do much more for our society than serve as a vehicle for conveying proofs.
Mathematics is a science and should be every child’s first science—the science of quantity, order, structure, proximity, separation, symbol manipulation, and patterns.The objects of mathematics—numbers, variables, equations, curves, vectors, etc.—are as real, as interesting, and as worthy of study as are the plant and insect life in the jungle’s interior, the animals in the arctic, moon rocks, or cyclones.
Throughout his career Dr. Andrew Grossfield has combined an interest in engineering design and mathematics. He earned his B.E.E. at CCNY. Seeing the differences between the mathematics memorized in schools and the math understood and needed by engineers has led him to a career presenting alternative mathematical insights and concepts. He was licensed professional engineer in New York State and belongs to the MAA, ASEE, and IEEE.