Applications of Mathematics

This is an amazing resource from the British Columbia Institute of Technology:  a cross-referenced list of how various mathematical ideas are used in various technology fields.

http://commons.bcit.ca/math/examples/

Interested in how Linear Algebra can be applied to Nuclear Medicine?  Or how Logs and Exponentials can be applied to Forestry and Wildlife?  Or how Differential Equations can be applied to Mechanical Engineering?

Well, look no further!

Mobius Transformation Video

Not only is this visualization of generalized Mobius transformations mesmerizing and beautiful, it is the clearest demonstration of inversion that I have ever seen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX3VmDgiFnY

This short movie visually explains all the basic transformations of the plane:  translation, rotation, dilation, and inversion.  Then it demonstrates how all of these transformations of the plane can really be thought of as simple translations and rotations of the sphere!

If I had seen this video a few decades ago, I might not have given up on topology as quickly as I did.

Math Lesson: Mathematics, Elections, and the NYT

My latest contribution to the New York Times Learning Network is a collection of teaching and learning ideas that use  New York Times resources to explore the mathematics of elections.

https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/the-united-states-of-numeracy-the-math-of-a-presidential-campaign/

The ideas cover both primary and presidential elections, and involve polling, demographics, campaign finance, and even a little graph theory!

Math Quiz: NYT Learning Network

Through Math for America, I am part of an on-going collaboration with the New York Times Learning Network.  My latest contribution, a Test Yourself quiz-question, can be found here:

https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/test-yourself-math-jan-25-2012/

This question is based on the rising number of weight-loss surgeries performed each year in the U.S.  How many are being performed on patients under 21 years of age?

 

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