Timeline for Math talk for all ages
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
9 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2020 at 19:44 | comment | added | Matt | I like this idea of doing something fun and hand wavey. Maybe worth considering some paradoxes, maybe the birthday paradox en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 19:35 | comment | added | Nick S | @gidds In this situation my goal would be to try to inspire, not impress or amuse. | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 17:54 | comment | added | gidds | …and about showing that maths is more than just numbers/arithmetic (and letters/algebra if they've done much of that), which is the unfortunate impression that some children can get. | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 17:52 | comment | added | gidds | @bob Fairly sure I've seen it demonstrated with a reasonably-sized (~30–40cm diameter) soft toy ball covered in a furry fabric with long fibres, making their direction fairly obvious, and an actual comb or similar. As you say, you can get audience members up to try it, though the point is fairly obvious even without that. And yes, the full proof wouldn't be suitable — but you could challenge the kids to think about how they might prove it. I see this as more about interesting and inspiring than teaching as such. | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 17:46 | comment | added | gidds | @NickS The point is to interest and/or amuse more than to impress, isn't it? And I expect even a basic the-centres-of-mass-define-a-plane proof for the obvious cases would be plenty advanced enough for some of the audience; you can tack on a “But this doesn't work for some more complicated situations, so…” line if you need. | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 17:44 | comment | added | bob | With the Hairy Ball Theorem, could you do a visual demonstration? Not sure the best way to create a real physical model, but it could be interesting, and you could even have audience members come up and try to solve the problem (following appropriate COVID protocols or waiting until things improve of course). The actual math though might be too much for all but the most advanced attendees... | |
| Nov 2, 2020 at 16:38 | comment | added | Nick S | Personally I do not like the Ham Sandwich theorem as a presentation for that age group. They are gonna think it is trivial (you just connect their centres of gravity with the cut), and understanding the subtle issues beyond the existnce of such points, especially for measurable sets, is way beyond their current knowledge. They may get the impression that this theorem is proving in a way too convoluted way a trivial result. | |
| S Nov 2, 2020 at 14:50 | history | answered | gidds | CC BY-SA 4.0 | |
| S Nov 2, 2020 at 14:50 | history | made wiki | Post Made Community Wiki by gidds |