In an earlier post, I discussed whether math was really real, or just made up. I came to the conclusion that there’s a difference between the math that is implicit in the laws of logic, and the math that people happen to study and learn. The difference is that the latter is much much smaller than the former.
Archive for the ‘Miscellany’ Category
Is Math Real or Invented?
01
Apr
When we learn that, say, 2+2=4, is that something really true about the universe, or is it something some caveman made up? Does a cube exist as something more than just a figment of our imagination?
Less Than Zero
27
Mar
Here’s how my four-year-old responded when I threw him a curly math question – it’s cute!
We were trying to teach him to count backwards…
Math – A Kid’s Perspective
09
Jan
My son wrote an essay on math the other day. I thought I’d reproduce it here. You can think of him, therefore, as my first ‘guest blogger’. I’ve edited it only very slightly.
Wikipedian Wanted!
20
Oct
Are you a Wikipedian? Then you may like to know that Dr Mike’s Math Games for Kids (this website) is now “notable” according to Wikipedia’s standards.
Benoît Mandelbrot – Rest In Peace
17
Oct
Benoît Mandelbrot has passed away.
Mandelbrot is one of the few mathematicians whose contributions – at least some of them – can be immediately recognised and appreciated by a number of non-mathematicians. His name is attached to the now famous Mandelbrot set, beautiful pictures of which are immediately recognizable, and stunningly beautiful.
Paul the Lucky Octopus
09
Jul
According to the news, there’s a psychic octopus in Germany. Apparently, Paul the Octopus is able to predict the outcome of the FIFA world cup games. Well, they don’t actually know the octopus is psychic – maybe he’s just very good at analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the various teams. Or maybe he’s just lucky.
Etymology of ‘Eleven’
11
Jun
Now here’s something I bet you didn’t know – where does the word ‘eleven’ come from?
