IntMath Newsletter: brain games, music, impossible integrals

10 Sep 2010

In this Newsletter:

1. Resource: Lumosity brain games
2. Music and transformation geometry
3. What does Japan's history tell us about the DJIA's future?
4. Impossible integral question
5. Friday math movie: Math of rock climbing
6. Final thought: water

1. Resource: Lumosity brain games

I came across Lumosity recently. It claims to "improve memory and attention with scientific brain games". There are many games in there (the trial is free, but you need to pay for the full program) and most of them will help improve your math skills.

I played some of the games (speed, attention and memory) and found it quite useful. Other areas are flexibility and problem solving.

So give it a go - improve your math skills while playing games! (You need to set up a free account first).

Lumosity

[Disclaimer: I have no connection with Lumosity.]

2. Music and transformation geometry

Suitable for: Everyone.

Composers use many ideas from geometry when they write music. In this article, you can hear some music I wrote. Music and transformation geometry

3. What does Japan's history tell us about the DJIA's future?

Suitable for: This article describes an application of exponential functions, and describes a scenario that may affect the finances of millions of people.

Will the DJIA follow the Nikkei down into oblivion? Japan's story may give us a clue. What does Japan's history tell us about the DJIA's future?

4. Impossible integral question

Suitable for: This is for those of yoou who are studying integration, a calculus topic.

Scarlett has trouble solving an integration problem. It's no wonder, since the problem is impossible! Impossible integral question

5. Friday math movie: Math of rock climbing

Suitable for: Everyone.

Here is a real life application of math - life and death, in fact. Watch the video: Friday math movie: Math of rock climbing

6. Final thought: water

Quite a few students write to me asking for advice on project topics, or even which degree they should study.

For example, Aditya wrote from India:

I wish to do some research in Mathematics (any field) where I can learn more and if possible find new things.

This was my reply:

One of the biggest problems in the 21st century is going to be water. I would encourage you to work on any project that helps to improve the efficient and sustainable use of water. Much water is wasted through industrial and agricultural inefficiencies. The mathematics behind this can be very interesting.  You would learn about differential equations, modeling, fluid mechanics and so on.

Find a problem on this topic (if it is in your local area, it's even better) and work on it. You have the potential to make many people a lot happier.

As the world becomes even more over-populated and its resources continue to be wasted and polluted, there will be many job opportunities in water management. The 21st century will challenge the brightest minds - I hope you are one of them.

Until next time, enjoy whatever you learn.

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