IntMath Newsletter: Derivative graphs, roller door problem, online math in remote India
By Murray Bourne, 05 Dec 2012
5 Dec 2012
In this Newsletter:
1. Derivative graphs interactive
2. Roller door problem
3. Online math education for Ajab, Gujurat
4. Math puzzles
5. Friday math movies
6. Final thought - candles
1. Derivative graphs interactive
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Calculus can be a bit of a mystery at first. Explore these graphs to get a better idea of what differentiation actually means. |
2. Roller Door problem
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Here's a real-life application of calculus posed by a roller door engineer. I actually made an error when first writing the article. I should have done an estimation first, something I always preach. (My graph worked fine, so I thought all was good. I'd used the correct formula for the graph, but not for the integration.) See: Roller Door problem |
3. Online math education for Ajab, Gujarat
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Students in Ajab village, India, enjoy a math lesson via Web conference from the US. |
4. Math puzzles
(a) Last puzzle: The puzzle in the last Newsletter asked about the number of messages you can send using a flashlight.
The correct answer was 30 messages. People who got it correct and showed working were: Soutrik, Pradyut De, Guido, Nicos Mavrommatis, Thomas A Buckley and Rosa.
(b) New puzzle: What is the value of the following?
You can respond in the comments.
5. Friday math movies
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(a) How things in nature tend to sync up Well-known mathematician Steven Strogatz talks about how flocking behavior naturally occurs - and some mathematical reasons for it. |
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(b) Science is for everyone, kids included Meet 12-year-old Amy O'Toole presenting a scientific paper that starts, "Once upon a time..." |
6. Final thought - candles
This quote suggests it's up to us to make sure we know what's going on.
If you're not lighting any candles, don't complain about being in the dark. [Anon]
Until next time, enjoy whatever you learn.
See the 33 Comments below.