Karan's Math Explorations

Reading Highly Unlikely Triangles and Other Impossible Figures in Bead Weaving Summary The article describes how impossible mathematical figures can be changed into three-dimensional sculptures through bead weaving techniques. There are examples of collaborations between artists and mathematicians. These unlikely figures were first introduced in 1930s. The flexibility of beads facilitates the production of "high unlikely" versions of impossible figures. In the article, the intersection between mathematics, art, and craftsmanship in creating sculptures is emphasized.  First stop I am surprised how straightforward it is to make a beaded sculpture from an impossible triangle drawing. When I read the title of this article, my thought was that it would be tedious to construct three dimensional counterparts of highly unlikely and impossible figures. It turns out that it is simple to make such sculptures. Second stop I am very fascinated by these images of highly unlikely and impos...

Reading Surfing the Möbius Band: An Example of the Union of Art and Mathematics Summary My assigned reading, which is written by Francisco Saez de Adana, explores the relationship between art and mathematics by giving an example related to the Mobius band. The Mobius band is a surface with only one side and one edge. It is an example of a non-orientable surface. In a superhero comic known as the "The Moebius Band of Silver Surfer," the story gives a geometry lesson that is accessible to an audience with a minimal mathematics background. An Eisner prize was awarded for this comic in 2016, and this is the main award in American comic industry.  First Stop As I stumbled upon Figure 2, I downloaded it and began reading the story. I found this story to be quite amusing and interesting, especially when the characters wonder how they ended up at the same place where they started. It is interesting how the characters believe that they are travelling in a time loop at one point. They...

Reading Learning to love math through the exploration of maypole patterns Summary This journal article explores the integration of mathematical concepts into the study of maypole dancing, aiming to engage liberal arts students in a deeper exploration of mathematics. The paper highlights the general class structure and teaching approach, with Julianna providing her student perspective. The primary focus of the paper is on the mathematics discovered during the Fall 2016 class and Julianna's subsequent independent study in Spring 2017. The central question addressed is the determination of non-equivalent ribbon patterns based on the number of dancers and colours used in maypole dancing. The paper seeks to demonstrate how this unique approach can stimulate interest and understanding of mathematics in a non-traditional context. First stop In section 5, there is discussion on the mathematics of maypole ribbon patterns.   Reading about the maypole dance and its intricate ribbon patterns e...

Reading What Mathematics Education Can Learn from Art: The Assumptions, Values, and Vision of Mathematics Education Summary According to Eisner, one can deal with educational challenges by considering them through an artful lens. In this reading, Eisner's ideas are used to examine mathematics education from an artistic perspective. The reading discusses a story from a grade 7 mathematics textbook. In many North American mathematics classes, the educational experience is dull and monotonous. The author claims that by viewing mathematics as a form of art, teachers can make the classroom experience more stimulating. First stop On the first page of the reading, it is mentioned that science has always been the default lens through which problems with education and learning were identified. After this, the author makes a comparison between science and art, describing science as "dependable" and "testable" and art as neither of those. I stopped while reading these sent...

Reading Eve Torrance (2019), Bridges 2018,Summary Summary The Bridges conference is about the connections between mathematics and art, architecture, music, and education. In July 2018, the 21st conference was organized at Tekniska Museet, a museum in Stockholm, Sweden. The Mathematical Garden is located in front of the museum. There is a pentagonal tile pattern at the entrance of the museum, and this pattern was suggested by a mathematician named Marjorie Rice. In the opening session of the conference, Carol Bier, a researcher on the intersections between art and mathematics, introduced a special double issue of the Journal of Mathematics and the Arts. This was in honour of the founder of Bridges, named Reza Sarhangi. The conference participants were asked to vote for their favourite pieces in the art exhibition. The first three days of the conference had mostly short paper presentations and workshops. There was a music night on the third evening, and it consisted of two entertaining a...

Summary In this paper, our professor Susan and her collaborator Julia discuss about the strict "grids" of schooling in the Western education system. A majority of the education experiences of teachers are confined to their boxes of classrooms, which are an example of grids. According to Davis and Sumara, the conceptual and temporal components of education are also formed into a grid, in addition to physical components like desks, chairs, windows, and boards. For example, the daily school timetable, the yearly calendar, report cards, and worksheets are also formed into grids. This paper questions if teachers can 'swing' or 'parkour' the strict grid-like structures of education. It also discusses if a teacher can be both inside and outside the grid. There is also a metaphor about dancing teachers, so that they are being with a garden. First stop On page 173, it is mentioned that a grid has been used a tool for colonialism since the 15th century, when European co...