calculus

MAA MATHFEST 2015Other Mathematical Sessions (continued)Special Presentation for High School Students,Parents, and TeachersSaturday, August 8, 1:00 PM – 1:50 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Salon 2A Dozen Proofs that 1=2: An Accessible and QuirkyOverview of Mathematics for K-12 Teachers and TheirStudentsJames Tanton, The Saint Mark’s Mathematics Institute andMAAGuidobaldo del Monte (1545-1647), a patron and friendof Galileo Galilei, believed he had witnessed the creation ofsomething out of nothing when he established mathematicallythat zero equals one. He thereby thought he had proven theexistence of God! James Tanton doesn’t claim to be so bold, buthe is willing to prove instead that one equals two. And, moreover,just to convince you that he is right, he will do so a dozentimes over, drawing upon a wide spectrum of mathematicaltechniques: school algebra and arithmetic, probability andmechanics, pure thought and physical action! Will you be able tofind fault with any of his “proofs?” This will be a math talk of thelike you’ve never seen before. All are welcome!Sponsor:MAA Council on OutreachGreat Talks for a General Audience: CoachedPresentations by Graduate StudentsSaturday, August 8, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Virginia CSaturday, August 8, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Maryland CSaturday, August 8, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Salon 1 Balcony APresenters in this session must be graduate students. Whilemany graduate students will be asked to give a lecture to ageneral audience, which includes undergraduates and nonmathematiciansas part of a job interview, most students donot have experience talking to a non-research audience. Thissession gives graduate students the opportunity to give a20-minute talk aimed at an undergraduate audience, which hasbeen exposed to calculus and some linear algebra. Both thetalks and abstracts should be designed to excite a wide rangeof undergraduates about mathematics. All participants in thissession will receive private feedback on their presentationsfrom an established faculty member and an undergraduatestudent. Time permitting, a discussion of effective techniquesfor delivering great general-audience talks will occur at theend of the session.James Freeman, Cornell CollegeRachel Schwell, Central Connecticut State UniversityAliza Steurer, Dominican UniversitySponsor:MAA Committee on Graduate StudentsMath Circle DemonstrationSaturday, August 8, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Maryland AA math circle is an enrichment experience that bringsmathematics professionals in direct contact with pre-collegestudents and/or their teachers. Circles foster passion andexcitement for deep mathematics. This demonstration sessionoffers the opportunity for conference attendees to observeand then discuss a math circle experience designed for localstudents. While students are engaged in a mathematicalinvestigation, mathematicians will have a discussion focusedon appreciating and better understanding the organic andcreative process of learning that circles offer, and on thelogistics and dynamics of running an effective circle.Katherine Morrison, University of Northern ColoradoJapheth Wood, New York Math CircleSponsor:SIGMAA MCSTMath WrangleSaturday, August 8, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PMMarriott Wardman Park, Maryland AMath Wrangle will pit teams of students against each other,the clock, and a slate of great math problems. The format of aMath Wrangle is designed to engage students in mathematicalproblem solving, promote effective teamwork, provide a venuefor oral presentations, and develop critical listening skills.A Math Wrangle incorporates elements of team sports anddebate, with a dose of strategy tossed in for good measure.The intention of the Math Wrangle demonstration at MathFestis to show how teachers, schools, circles, and clubs can getstudents started in this exciting combination of mathematicalproblem solving with careful argumentation via publicspeaking, strategy and rebuttal.Mark Saul, MAA American Mathematics CompetitionsEd Keppelmann, University of NevadaSponsor:SIGMAA MCST#MAAthFestWashington, DC | August 5–8, 2015 39