Monthly Archives: June 2012

A Tricky Domain Problem and Wolfram Alpha

Posted on June 14, 2012 by jrh794

What is the domain of the function ?  The answer is because if  or a divide by zero situation occurs.  One is sorely tempted to simplify to  which would be incorrect as it stands since now  needs to be explicitly … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Math Explorations | 1 Comment

Ulysses S. Grant Could Have Been a Mathematician

Posted on June 8, 2012 by jrh794

I have a Gary Larson cartoon cut from a newspaper on my door.  It reads, “Unbeknownst to most historians, Einstein started down the road to professional basketball before an ankle injury diverted him into science” and has a dynamic image … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Ideas | Leave a comment

Lean Start-Up Methodology – What Can Education Learn?

Posted on June 8, 2012 by jrh794

I just finished reading an article about Eric Reis  who is the guru of the lean start-up method for developing a business.  The basic idea is to build a baseline business strategy, test it immediately in the marketplace and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching | Leave a comment

Remembering Students’ Names

Posted on June 4, 2012 by jrh794

At the golf course last weekend a tall, clear-eyed young man walked up and shook my hand.  It was an old student of mine – not that old, just a couple of years – who I didn’t remember. I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Happenings, Teaching, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

What I Wish I Had Asked Dr. Ribet

Posted on June 2, 2012 by jrh794

Dr. Kenneth Ribet of UC Berkeley visited campus to deliver our annual Kieval Lectures.  Professor Ribet is known for proving a key result that Andrew Wiles used to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem. I enjoyed his lectures and gleaned a little bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Math and Me | Leave a comment

Matching Homework to Student

Posted on June 1, 2012 by jrh794

As I have said assigning homework is about process not product – an attempt to help students change their brains, i.e. learn the material.  Unfortunately matching homework to individual students is nearly impossible in a classroom setting with thirty-odd students.  A … Continue reading →

Posted in Pedagogy, Teaching | Leave a comment