Anyone ever worked as an editor/proofreader for science and mathematics articles not written by native English speakers? [more inside]
posted on Jul 20, 2008 - 8 answers

There's a smart freshman who's going to be in my school's Academic Decathlon team next year. However, Academic Decathlon tests over all of high school math, so I ask: How can I teach a fast learner an overview of high school math in around 7 months? [more inside]
posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 6 answers

How do I generate a bingo game with a predetermined number of winners? I'll have control over the cards printed and over the list of numbers to be called out. (Specifically, 15 winners out of 15,000 cards.)
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 10 answers

Statistics-filter: I need to establish to what extent student performance on a particular standardized test is predicted by each of the following: GPA, standardized test scores and a couple of other miscellaneous numerical factors. How do I go about this? [more inside]
posted on Mar 6, 2008 - 11 answers

My cousin's four year old son is obsessed with things like quarks and infinity. He insists to his mother that infinity is the last number. She isn't so sure, and wants to know more about things like strangeness. I don't want to determine this kid's future, but it seems fun to feed his curiosity. And since my wife's babysitter was Murray Gell-Mann, the responsibility has fallen partially on my shoulders to help answer his questions. What kinds of information can you recommend that I give to his mother so that she, an attorney and not a mathematician, and her son can learn more about this information. In particular, what kinds of books, games, and projects would introduce him to other neat ideas in mathematics and physics?
posted on Feb 16, 2008 - 27 answers

Teaching a university course for the first time: any tips or suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Dec 12, 2007 - 33 answers

How do I make the transition, in my brain, to studying graduate/advanced mathematics? [more inside]
posted on Oct 22, 2007 - 20 answers

Why is it that when I solve the inequality 0 ≤ arccos(x) <> cos(π/4)? Why do the operators switch direction? [more inside]
posted on Oct 19, 2007 - 11 answers

is there a book on the mathematics of chess? [more inside]
posted on Oct 18, 2007 - 6 answers

If a man’s wit be wandering, let him post a question about mathematics and reasoning to MetaFilter. [more inside]
posted on Sep 25, 2007 - 20 answers

Maximal volume of an ellipsoid... [more inside]
posted on Aug 7, 2007 - 15 answers

Starting this fall, I plan on taking some preparatory undergrad coursework with the intention of eventually applying to a master's program in applied mathematics. I am seeking suggestions for reading material concerning the field of mathematics in general, both as a refresher and as insight into current focus areas and work being done. As a working engineer, my situation and background might be a bit different from most considering this route... [more inside]
posted on Jul 15, 2007 - 2 answers

Ask Mathfilter: I want some good math sites to read. A math-cetric Metafilter or Cosma's notebooks. [more inside]
posted on Jul 2, 2007 - 11 answers

StatisticsFilter: Can someone explain - with examples - why R^2 (r-square) values are not appropriate for use with non-linear regression models. [more inside]
posted on Jun 21, 2007 - 5 answers

I've charged with adding a feature to a shift scheduler / coverage requestor that displays shift information for a given week. I've been able to display them so as to satisfy the constraints I've been given, but it's got me wondering wondering if there's a more rigorous/mathematical approach to the general problem of organizing the display of any such calendar information. [more inside]
posted on Apr 12, 2007 - 3 answers

What e-learning systems provide students with the math-related symbols they need and lets them "show their work," while still letting them submit all answers online? [more inside]
posted on Mar 14, 2007 - 8 answers

(Stereotype-flouting) Math Movie Suggestions Needed for a pi-day celebration. I'm looking for movies that don't portray mathematicians as schizophrenic or otherwise deranged. [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2007 - 30 answers

Mathematicians, I've always suspected there is a real opportunity to exploit the inefficiencies of the online sports betting markets and amateur bettors and make serious money. Have you felt the same way or am I kidding myself? [more inside]
posted on Dec 17, 2006 - 7 answers

I remember reading an anecdote about Feynman, written by Feynman either in Surely, You're Joking or What Do You Care What Other People Think. He was describing how in his undergraduate years people were really impressed by his ability to do integrals, all because he knew this integration technique that wasn't taught very often. What was that technique?
posted on Dec 4, 2006 - 10 answers

Science and math educators, K-12 and college! What are your favourite science and math sites that you use for planning lessons and curricula, or for classroom use? And why? Thanks! [more inside]
posted on Nov 16, 2006 - 3 answers

I would like to relearn some calculus on my own. Please recommend the best book for the purpose. [more inside]
posted on Sep 10, 2006 - 16 answers

Can you help me with my innumeracy? [more inside]
posted on Jul 23, 2006 - 16 answers

Stupid calculus question inside. [more inside]
posted on Jul 19, 2006 - 15 answers

How do I process user ratings of content without skewing results of items that have only been rated once? [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 19 answers

I've read that Gödel's incompleteness theorem shows that there are definite limits to what logic, mathematics and by extension computers can do. This seems to be unknown among humanists such as myself. What are the things logic cannot do? Earlier AskMe questions about Gödel here and here (this answer is especially good).
posted on Apr 5, 2006 - 50 answers

Looking for songs about math! My girlfriend's sister just got into a Ph.D. program for mathematics and we're making her a mix CD to help celebrate. Poppy indie rock especially good. [more inside]
posted on Feb 23, 2006 - 68 answers

Is there a mathematical technique for simplifying ratios/fractions? [more inside]
posted on Dec 17, 2005 - 21 answers

The math threads got me thinking; maybe someone can help my students? [+]
posted on Jan 18, 2005 - 44 answers

Suppose there are 20 objects hidden in a collection of 270 haystacks. What are your odds of searching 100 haystacks (assuming that if you choose to search a haystack with an object in it, you'll find that object) without finding an object? My discrete math skillz have eroded to the point where any attempt to work this out myself yields preposterous numbers..
posted on Dec 1, 2004 - 30 answers

When reading a book about Newton V's Leibniz recently, it occurred to me that great advances in Science often seem to occur in tandem, ie two unrelated persons or groups often arrive at a breakthrough at roughly the same time. Is this true? Can anyone think of some other examples? Can anyone explain why this may be the case?
posted on Nov 19, 2004 - 21 answers

How did East Asians do math before the adoption of arabic numerals, which are universally used today? Were there a variety of local systems? When did the switchovers happen? [more inside]
posted on Oct 14, 2004 - 19 answers

Mathfilter: Have you ever found any really, really good explanations of complicated mathematics topics online? Where "good" here gives higher marks for clarity, analogies, examples, and even aesthetics than for strict formal completeness, though that's not taken lightly either. (E.g.) [More inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2004 - 9 answers

How can a major key sound confident and happy, while a minor key can sound sinister or sad? Is it just centuries of musical brainwashing, or is there a real mathematical explanation?
posted on May 7, 2004 - 16 answers

Does anyone here do any programming for financial modeling? (more inside)
posted on Dec 19, 2003 - 6 answers

I'd like to read a readable, yet not dumbed-down account of the current state of quantum physics, addressing the famous paradoxes and directions modern research is taking. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2003 - 12 answers