A (Detailed) Look at the Four Color Theorem
A proof that went undone for eighty years. We’ll go from maps, to planar graphs, to Kempe chains, to the final computer assisted solution.
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Blog Posts
2019
Putting #1 First – Deriving Benford’s Law
Looking at when this elusive “first-digit law” does (and doesn’t) apply.
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Mathematicians’ Many Hats
Solving riddles about hat colors with logic and a bit of set theory.
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A Variation on Bertrand’s Paradox
Understanding the importance of a well-posed problem by examining a math problem with 3 different “correct” solutions.
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2017
Inside Out Universe – The (Legitimate) Hollow Earth Theory
Using projective geometry to invert the world as we know it.
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Buffon’s Needles and Noodles
A probability exercise leads to an exploration of circles and other shapes of constant width.
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Rainbows and Optics
Finding the reason for a rainbow by analyzing a single spherical drop of water.
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2016
Error and Multiple Measurements
Mathematically quantifying error a.k.a. being right about how wrong you are.
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