by Larry Campbell | Apr 23, 2015 |
Einstein & Eddington & . . .
In 1919, Sir Arthur Eddington, an astronomer in the Royal Astronomical Society, traveled to the island of Principe – near Africa – to make important observations of a total solar eclipse that occurred there on May 19. These observations would provide the first empirical test of Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Luckily, Eddington was one of the few astronomers who had the mathematical talent to understand and work with the theory. His observations, published the following year, proved Einstein right and bewildered lay people everywhere, causing a great stir.
Eddington was asked by journalists, “Is it true that only three people in the world understand the theory of relativity?” Eddington took his time, then replied in carefully puzzled tones, “Who is the third?”.
Sources: Wikipedia entry on Eddington. See Wild Cards for link.
Original Goodness, Eknath Easwaren, Nilgiri Press – p. 13
by Larry Campbell | Mar 19, 2015 |
First Woman in Math? Brilliant Life, Tragic Death
Hypatia of Alexandria (approx 360 – 415 AD) is generally considered as the first woman in the history of mathematics – at least the first mentioned. She is known for this distinction, and for her tragic/brutal death at the hands of Christians. 🙁
For a few more details (and a link to more if you want), see Hypatia of Alexandria.
by Larry Campbell | Feb 19, 2015 |
Mathematics and . . . . . POETRY?!?!
It’s quite likely you believe that mathematics and poetry are about as opposite as left brain/right brain, Democrat/Republican, priest/atheist, or any other of any list of opposites you can supply. If so, this little tidbit may surprise – indeed confound – you! It’s actually in the form of a quiz, but don’t let that scare you – it’s just the format used. You’ll find a list of actual verbatim quotes from real historical figures. (Names withheld until next week, as that might give some of them away.) See if you can determine whether the person is speaking of math or poetry. Most of us will be lucky to get over half of them right. 🙂 It seems that mathematicians and poets think of their craft – their ultimate goals – in very similar terms!! Who’d’ve thunk?! See Math and Poetry.
Answers (and quote authors) next week.
by Larry Campbell | Jan 22, 2015 |
I’ll never win the Nobel Prize in Mathematics. 🙂
This is more than just the obvious comment on my mathematical research abilities – or more precisely, my lack of them. The more practical reason is that there is no Nobel Prize in Mathematics!! Have you ever noticed that – let alone wondered why? 🙂
There ARE Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry (each of which leans heavily on mathematics!), not to mention Medicine, Literature, Economics, and Peace. But no Nobel Prize in Mathematics.
There are several conjectures why this is so, including an interesting/amusing anecdote, part (or all?) of which is probably apocryphal. To read more, visit No Nobel Prize in Math.
by Larry Campbell | Dec 25, 2014 |
Special (Mathematical) Dates !
Did you notice and/or celebrate earlier this month on Dec 13? The date was 12/13/14 ! There are only 12 of these ‘consecutive-whole-number’ days each century (!), and this was the last one in most of our lifetimes!!* (Anyone plan to live until 01/02/03? [That’s 2103, mind you.])
OK, roll your eyes if you want :-). But these kinds of interesting dates are actually fun for lots of number-types – and not just hopeless nut-cases like me. (And they can also grab young students’ interest . . . but I digress).
It is my own opinion that every day of the year is mathematically special in some way or other (see #1 below in Wild Cards), but be that as it may, there are a few very interesting days coming up in 2015, including one that arrives only once a century!! To see a few, visit 2015 Special Days.
* 12/13/14 was the last such day where all three entries are consecutive integers. There are similar dates like 1/2/34 which are also fun, and some of us may live to see those. 🙂
