Receive our RSS FeedContact Jo Procter, college news director; phone: (413) 597-4279; e-mail Jo.Procter@williams.edu
Exploring the "Number Jungle" with Professor Edward Burger
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Oct. 23, 2007 -- "Zero to Infinity" is the title of this year's first Sigma Xi lecture at Williams College.
In the two-part lecture series Professor Edward Burger, chair of the department of mathematics and statistics, will discuss "Great Moments in the History of Numbers" and "A Rational Approach to Irrationality." The two lectures are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, and Friday, Nov. 2. Both will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the Wege Auditorium, located in the Science Center on the Williams campus.
The lectures are intended for a general audience and are free. Professor Burger is famous for his creative approach toward teaching because, as he said in a recent interview, "I hate the fact that math phobia is so common in our kids. I've made it my mission to try to rid students of that fear."
The first lecture has the ambitious aim to cover 30,000 years of cultural contributions to the evolution of the notion of number. The topics will include "How humans can 'count' without "counting," "The cult of Pythagoras," and "Why zero came onto the scene so late." Art and images will be an essential part of the presentation and Professor Burger's promise is that participants will be able to see "two of the most aesthetically appealing arguments in all of mathematics."
The second lecture will introduce "the beautiful synergy" between rational and irrational numbers. Participants will explore irrational numbers through focusing on familiar insights like fractions. The goal is for what Professor Burger calls a "number jungle" to become an understanding and appreciation for irrational numbers and "the subtleties within both nature and number."
Professor Burger earned his B.A. in mathematics from Connecticut College and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas. At Williams his teaching ranges from courses on "Abstract Algebra" to "The Art of Mathematical Thinking." He is the author of a number of books, videos, and journal publications, including his lively math video series, which will receive the 2007 Award of Excellence from Technology and Learning Magazine in December.
Sigma Xi is an international honor society of science and engineering, whose mission is to "promote the public's understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition." Sigma Xi lectures are held twice a year at Williams College.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted.
To visit the college on the Internet www.williams.edu
News: Iliyana
In the two-part lecture series Professor Edward Burger, chair of the department of mathematics and statistics, will discuss "Great Moments in the History of Numbers" and "A Rational Approach to Irrationality." The two lectures are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, and Friday, Nov. 2. Both will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the Wege Auditorium, located in the Science Center on the Williams campus.
The lectures are intended for a general audience and are free. Professor Burger is famous for his creative approach toward teaching because, as he said in a recent interview, "I hate the fact that math phobia is so common in our kids. I've made it my mission to try to rid students of that fear."
The first lecture has the ambitious aim to cover 30,000 years of cultural contributions to the evolution of the notion of number. The topics will include "How humans can 'count' without "counting," "The cult of Pythagoras," and "Why zero came onto the scene so late." Art and images will be an essential part of the presentation and Professor Burger's promise is that participants will be able to see "two of the most aesthetically appealing arguments in all of mathematics."
The second lecture will introduce "the beautiful synergy" between rational and irrational numbers. Participants will explore irrational numbers through focusing on familiar insights like fractions. The goal is for what Professor Burger calls a "number jungle" to become an understanding and appreciation for irrational numbers and "the subtleties within both nature and number."
Professor Burger earned his B.A. in mathematics from Connecticut College and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas. At Williams his teaching ranges from courses on "Abstract Algebra" to "The Art of Mathematical Thinking." He is the author of a number of books, videos, and journal publications, including his lively math video series, which will receive the 2007 Award of Excellence from Technology and Learning Magazine in December.
Sigma Xi is an international honor society of science and engineering, whose mission is to "promote the public's understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition." Sigma Xi lectures are held twice a year at Williams College.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted.
To visit the college on the Internet www.williams.edu
News: Iliyana
top