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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The Negative Stigma Surrounding Mathematics, Marissa A. Greisen
The Negative Stigma Surrounding Mathematics, Marissa A. Greisen
PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal
There is a negative stigma that surrounds mathematics in our education system. It is important to bring notice to this for the benefit of future students. There is a lot of research claiming that math is looked down on, but they do not answer why, or what we can do to fix it. Why is there a greater negative stigma around math and not other subjects? What roles to teachers, parents, and peers play in this stigma? In this article, I created a survey for people to answer questions regarding their opinion on math, who they believe typically does well …
Mathematics, Kim Regnier Jongerius
Mathematics, Kim Regnier Jongerius
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Inspired by the song "Memories" from the musical Cats, this work describes some of the frustrations and joys inherent in mathematical work.
“Math Talks Are Like An Alarm Clock Waking You Up”: Language’S Crucial Role In Mathematics, Gabriella M. Wasser
“Math Talks Are Like An Alarm Clock Waking You Up”: Language’S Crucial Role In Mathematics, Gabriella M. Wasser
Journal of Practitioner Research
Whole group math talks, or number talks, are a common practice to get students talking about their own understanding of mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study was to implement math talks in small group settings to see what would happen, specifically to students’ conceptual understanding as well their general perceptions of math talks. This study took place in a fourth-grade math classroom, and math talks were implemented with the whole class for a week and then moved to small groups for the remaining three weeks of the study. During the study, a pre-and post-assessment was given, field notes were …
How To Guard An Art Gallery: A Simple Mathematical Problem, Natalie Petruzelli
How To Guard An Art Gallery: A Simple Mathematical Problem, Natalie Petruzelli
The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research
The art gallery problem is a geometry question that seeks to find the minimum number of guards necessary to guard an art gallery based on the qualities of the museum’s shape, specifically the number of walls. Solved by Václav Chvátal in 1975, the resulting Art Gallery Theorem dictates that ⌊n/3⌋ guards are always sufficient and sometimes necessary to guard an art gallery with n walls. This theorem, along with the argument that proves it, are accessible and interesting results even to one with little to no mathematical knowledge, introducing readers to common concepts in both geometry and graph …
A Life Cut Short, Cacey L. Wells
A Life Cut Short, Cacey L. Wells
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Connecting scholars and students with the human side of mathematics is critical. This poem about Évariste Galois provides a synopsis of his controversial life, while also providing details into his life that some may not be familiar with.
Permission To Add: Math-Teaching Limericks, Marion D. Cohen
Permission To Add: Math-Teaching Limericks, Marion D. Cohen
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Throughout my years and decades of being a teacher, I have written limericks about every course I’ve taught, and sometimes courses I haven’t taught but reviewed textbooks in. Here I share several of these limericks.
Applying The Data: Predictive Analytics In Sport, Anthony Teeter, Margo Bergman
Applying The Data: Predictive Analytics In Sport, Anthony Teeter, Margo Bergman
Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship
The history of wagering predictions and their impact on wide reaching disciplines such as statistics and economics dates to at least the 1700’s, if not before. Predicting the outcomes of sports is a multibillion-dollar business that capitalizes on these tools but is in constant development with the addition of big data analytics methods. Sportsline.com, a popular website for fantasy sports leagues, provides odds predictions in multiple sports, produces proprietary computer models of both winning and losing teams, and provides specific point estimates. To test likely candidates for inclusion in these prediction algorithms, the authors developed a computer model, and test …
Spirit-Wise Math: Two Examples From A Collection Of Mathaphors, Sarah Voss
Spirit-Wise Math: Two Examples From A Collection Of Mathaphors, Sarah Voss
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
This article consists of two examples of loosely spiritual insights drawn from mathematics, both of which are from a work-in-progress -- a collection of mathematical metaphors.
To Fall In Love With Math, Do This, Susan D'Agostino
To Fall In Love With Math, Do This, Susan D'Agostino
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
In the viral New York Times essay, “To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This,” Mandy Len Catron details an experience she and an acquaintance had as they shared responses to psychologist Arthur Aron’s thirty-six questions intended to make participants fall in love. She notes that, “we all have a narrative of ourselves that we offer up to strangers and acquaintances, but Dr. Aron’s questions make it impossible to rely on that narrative.” In this paper, we claim that we also have narratives of our relationship to mathematics that we offer up to ourselves and others. Following, we offer a …
Math Course For Liberal Arts Majors: A Pilot With Embedded Remediation, Eileen B. Perez, Hansun To, Mary Fowler, Linda Larrivee
Math Course For Liberal Arts Majors: A Pilot With Embedded Remediation, Eileen B. Perez, Hansun To, Mary Fowler, Linda Larrivee
Numeracy
This study was designed to determine if embedded remediation is significant in accelerating the pathway to completion of a college-level math course for students needing remediation. The project studied the impact on student success in a quantitative literacy course at a Massachusetts four-year state university with remedial material embedded. The course satisfies the university’s general education math requirement for students with liberal arts majors who are not required to complete college algebra or calculus-based courses. The paper begins with a presentation of the issues with remedial mathematics and its impact on students’ graduation and persistence. Next, the paper covers the …
One = Zero, Eric John Gofen
One = Zero, Eric John Gofen
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
In this paper, I use Mathematics in addition to the three most pure sciences --- Physics, Chemistry, and Rap --- to prove that 1=0. The argument uses The Ideal Gas Law, Ohm's Law, the Definitions of Power and Velocity in addition to indefinite integrals, simple mathematical operations, and the 99 Problems Law. The intuition-crushing result can be applied to all branches of mathematics and sciences and will likely go down as one of the greatest discoveries of all time.
Disciple, Jessica K. Sklar
Disciple, Jessica K. Sklar
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
This is a love poem for mathematics.
Mathematics In The Mind's Eye: Michael Schultheis Paints Poetic And Conceptual Geometries, Patricia Grieve Watkinson
Mathematics In The Mind's Eye: Michael Schultheis Paints Poetic And Conceptual Geometries, Patricia Grieve Watkinson
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Michael Schultheis is an established artist and a formally-educated mathematician. In his practice the two disciplines are inextricably linked. His large-scale lyrical paintings at first glance seem to focus on the effects of light and atmospheres, representing cloudscapes or waterscapes in resonant color. Yet moving through these mists are decidedly mathematical references --- drawn geometric shapes and hand-written equations. These are employed by Schultheis to represent the physical world or to express feelings (or both). For example, he may examine the structure of a pine cone or reflect on human relationships or do both at the same time. The resulting …
The University Of Montana Department Of Mathematics Post-Apocalyptic Working Seminar, Kenan A. Ince
The University Of Montana Department Of Mathematics Post-Apocalyptic Working Seminar, Kenan A. Ince
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
No abstract provided.
Stop Ruining Math! Reasons And Remedies For The Maladies Of Mathematics Education, Rachel M. Steinig
Stop Ruining Math! Reasons And Remedies For The Maladies Of Mathematics Education, Rachel M. Steinig
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Did you love math as a kid? Or was it ruined for you? Sadly, many people have had math ruined for them for various reasons. Some might say that it was because of not understanding what was going on, being bored in class, parental or societal pressure to achieve in math, not seeing a point in learning math, wrong amount of homework, grades, curriculum, physical concerns, mean teachers, or any number of things. This article delves into the many common reasons why math is ruined for so many kids, and offers solutions so that math can be enjoyable for everyone. …
My Finite Field, Matthew Schroeder
My Finite Field, Matthew Schroeder
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
A love poem written in the language of mathematics.
Math Moment, Paige S. Orland
Math Moment, Paige S. Orland
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
A short poem comparing Exponential and Logistic functions.
Mathematics And The Hunger Games, Michael A. Lewis
Mathematics And The Hunger Games, Michael A. Lewis
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
The Hunger Games plot features a dystopian future in which twelve outer districts are oppressed by a centralized capital. The story focuses on the heroism of a sixteen-year-old girl named Katniss and how she tries to rise above the oppression that she experiences. It also features a special lottery and other twists that are sources of mathematical interest. This essay focuses on some of the mathematical issues raised by The Hunger Games in an effort to show that this story can be used to teach students (as well as other interested parties) some important concepts from mathematics.
Prove It!, Kenny W. Moran
Prove It!, Kenny W. Moran
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
A dialogue between a mathematics professor, Frank, and his daughter, Sarah, a mathematical savant with a powerful mathematical intuition. Sarah's intuition allows her to stumble into some famous theorems from number theory, but her lack of academic mathematical background makes it difficult for her to understand Frank's insistence on the value of proof and formality.
Engaging Math-Avoidant College Students, M. Paul Latiolais, Wendi Laurence
Engaging Math-Avoidant College Students, M. Paul Latiolais, Wendi Laurence
Numeracy
This paper is an informal, personal account of how we, as two college teachers, became interested in math anxiety, decided to explore it amongst students at our institution in order to inform our teaching, and became convinced that the massive problem is math avoidance. We tried discussion groups, but few students attended, although those that did made useful suggestions. Thus informed, we designed an innovative course, Confronting College Mathematics as a Humanities course with the possibility of credit toward the math requirement, but it was undersubscribed in its first offering and had to be canceled. How can we get college …
Gender Disparity In Mathematical Performance Revisited: Can Training In Problem Solving Bring Difference Between Boys And Girls?, M.A. Adeleke
Essays in Education
This study examined the problem solving performance of male and female students’ mathematical problem-solving performances using Conceptual Learning Strategy (CLS) and Procedural Learning Strategy PLS). A sample of 124 science students assigned into CLS, PLS and Conventional Method (CM) groups were involved in the study making use of pretest, post test control group design. The sample was drawn from three intact Senior Secondary School Two (SSII) classes from three local government Areas of Osun State in Nigeria and were taught for a period of eight weeks. Findings of the study showed a non significant difference in the performance of boys …
A Philosophical Examination Of Proofs In Mathematics, Eric Almeida
A Philosophical Examination Of Proofs In Mathematics, Eric Almeida
Undergraduate Review
No abstract provided.