3. Postdoctoral Program - MSRI

Evaluation #10 (This is Larry)
1. What were the benefits of attending this type of institute?
(1) learning the mathematics - or more of the mathematics - that underlines pre-algebra
and geometry.
(2) Taking some of what I know to a deeper more coherent level .
(3) Throwing out some rotten disconnected, less coherent rationales I had used to explain
things to students, colleagues, and myself and replacing them with more precise,
consistent, and reasonable explanations.
(4) proofs: experiencing the frustration, hitting the wall, got me ready to hear Wu’s
insights on the purposeful (on a good day) thrashing and trying stuff that preclude the
strategizing that precedes the point-by-point journey from A to B.
(5) learning about learning about math and about learning math. Clarity and precision
are things I’m not good at (yet), but I know I’m getting better - thanks to this institute.
2. What improvements do you suggest? Please be specific.
I can’t think of any improvements. The organization and pacing I thought were good.
For the proofs some intermediate canonical examples fleshing out the process of arriving
at a proof might really help.
Point A (given) Point B (destination) somewhat chaotic thrashing as the problem is
encountered What to do now? clear description of problem, sketch, purpose develops,
definitions, theorems, light bulb, strategy emerges, outline of proof distilled, write clear
proof with full discussion of cases and clear rationale for each step.
The tense succinct excellence of a fully precise, entirely correct proof often reminds me
of the glass mountain fairy tale characters we required to climb - or of some landscape or
country to arid or airless to live in. Wu and Sunil’s patient explanations helped me start
to see the process/journey on the way to the brilliant, jewel-like hardness of a properly
written proof. (Not that I can write them yet, but I’m sure I’m making progress.) Also
come to think of it there were lot of typos in the notes. that could have been caught by
some proof reading. I’d be glad to volunteer.
3. What would you like to see happen during the Saturday sessions? How
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