• What is mathematics?

• How would you describe it to a friend, in a sentence or two?

• What is mathematics?
• How would you describe it to a friend, in a sentence or two?
• What do you feel is the purpose of learning mathematics,
for yourself or others?
• What is mathematics?
• How would you describe it to a friend, in a sentence or two?
• What do you feel is the purpose of learning mathematics,
for yourself or others?
• What connections do you see between doing mathematics
and being human?
• What is mathematics?
• How would you describe it to a friend, in a sentence or two?
• What do you feel is the purpose of learning mathematics,
for yourself or others?
• What connections do you see between doing mathematics
and being human?
• Describe any virtues you have acquired as a result of doing
mathematics.
 What is Mathematics?
• Mathematics is the language with which God wrote the universe. —
Galileo
• Mathematics is the queen of science, and arithmetic is the queen of
mathematics. — Carl Friedrich Gauss
• Mathematics is a game played according to certain rules with
meaningless marks on paper. — David Hilbert
• Mathematics is the supreme judge; from its decisions there is no
appeal. –Tobias Dantzig
• ... mathematics is not just another language ... it is a language plus
logic. Mathematics is a tool for reasoning. — Richard Feynman
• Mathematics is the cheapest science. Unlike physics or chemistry, it
does not require any expensive equipment. All one needs for
mathematics is a pencil and paper.
Why do Mathematics?
 Why do Mathematics?

• Mathematics is a great motivator for all humans. Because its career

starts with zero and it never end (infinity).
 Why do Mathematics?

• Mathematics is a great motivator for all humans. Because its career

starts with zero and it never end (infinity).
• Mathematics is for human flourishing._ Francis Su
How do you achieve human flourishing?
 How do you achieve human flourishing?

• Artistotle said “Flourishing comes through exercise of virtues.”

 How do you achieve human flourishing?

• Artistotle said “Flourishing comes through exercise of virtues.”

• The Greek concept of virtue is excellence of character that leads to
excellence of conduct.
 How do you achieve human flourishing?

• Artistotle said “Flourishing comes through exercise of virtues.”

• The Greek concept of virtue is excellence of character that leads to
excellence of conduct.
• It includes more than moral virtues; for instance, traits like courage and
wisdom and patience are also virtues.
 How do you achieve human flourishing?

• Artistotle said “Flourishing comes through exercise of virtues.”

• The Greek concept of virtue is excellence of character that leads to
excellence of conduct.
• It includes more than moral virtues; for instance, traits like courage and
wisdom and patience are also virtues.
• Su claims that proper practice of mathematics cultivates virtues that
help people flourishing. These virtues serve you no matter what
profession you choose or where your life takes you.
 How do you achieve human flourishing?

• Artistotle said “Flourishing comes through exercise of virtues.”

• The Greek concept of virtue is excellence of character that leads to
excellence of conduct.
• It includes more than moral virtues; for instance, traits like courage and
wisdom and patience are also virtues.
• Su claims that proper practice of mathematics cultivates virtues that
help people flourishing. These virtues serve you no matter what
profession you choose or where your life takes you.
• The moment towards virtue is aroused by basic human desires- Play,
Beauty, Truth, Justice and Love.
Mathematical exploration begins with questions. Let me ask a question.
Mathematical exploration begins with questions. Let me ask a question.

"How many parts does a 4-cube have?"

Mathematical exploration begins with questions. Let me ask a question.

"How many parts does a 4-cube have?"

Polya's problem-solving principle: If you can't solve your problem, make

up a related problem that you may be able to solve.
Mathematical exploration begins with questions. Let me ask a
question.

In the Jewish revolt against Rome, Josephus and 39 of his comrades

were holding out against the Romans in a cave. With defeat imminent,
they resolved that, like the rebels at Masada, they would rather die
than be slaves to the Romans. They decided to arrange themselves in
a circle. One man was designated as number one, and they
proceeded clockwise killing every seventh man. . . Josephus
(according to the story) was among other things an accomplished
mathematician; so he instantly figured out where he ought to sit in
order to be the last to go. But when the time came, instead of killing
himself he joined the Roman side.
1. If every second person is killed (instead of every seventh) when there are initially n
people in the circle, where should Josephus stand?
2. In some versions of the story, Josephus saves a friend by having the friend stand in a
position so that the two of them are the last two people left alive. If every second
person is killed (instead of every seventh) when there are initially n people in the
circle, where should Josephus’s friend stand?
3. If Josephus is not allowed to move positions but is asked what the “skip number”
should be (say Monty Hall is a Roman soldier, for instance), can he always respond in
a way so that he will live? What about his friend?
4. Characterize all sets of people in the original circle who can be made to be the last
people living by naming an appropriate skip number. In other words, can Josephus
save any number of friends in any position by naming an appropriate skip number?
Polya's problem-solving principle: If you can't solve your problem, make
up a related problem that you may be able to solve.
Mathematical discovery rests on a validation called
"proof," the analogue of experiment in physical
science.
Communicating Mathematics
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics

“A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you

have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom
you meet on the street.” David Hilbert
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics

“A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you

have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom
you meet on the street.” David Hilbert
• Mathematical Writing
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics

“A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you

have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom
you meet on the street.” David Hilbert
• Mathematical Writing
• Using Symbols
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics

“A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you

have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom
you meet on the street.” David Hilbert
• Mathematical Writing
• Using Symbols
• Writing Mathematical Expressions
 Communicating Mathematics

• Learning Mathematics

“A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you

have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom
you meet on the street.” David Hilbert
• Mathematical Writing
• Using Symbols
• Writing Mathematical Expressions
• Common Words and Phrases in Mathematics