The Math Club

What do you get if you cross 11,520 isosceles triangles with the happiest place on Earth? The Epcot ball, of course, which is perhaps the most famous geodesic structure in the world. Join Pete and Noah as they investigate these incredibly sturdy mathematical objects… and make sure to wear your clam diggers!

• Picture of the geodesic dome at the Dalí Museum in Figueres, Spain

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What are the mathematical principles and structural advantages of a geodesic dome? • How do you calculate the number of triangles in a geodesic dome?

Pete is back, and Noah is eager to hear about his trip and record a new episode about an interesting bit of European math. Join us for some zero-based counting, inspired by an elevator that Pete rode on his first day in Spain.

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What is the difference between zero-based counting and one-based counting? • What is a fence post error (or off-by-one error) in mathematics?

We've spoken with previous guests about classroom math instruction, as well as how to help students with learning disabilities in mathematics. But what about the enormous middle ground of students who need extra help, but don't qualify for special education services? In this episode we're joined by Jonathan Bleecker, owner of a Mathnasium learning center, for an engaging conversation about how math tutors help to fill in those gaps.

• Contact Livermore Mathnasium

• Mathnasium's website

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • How does the Mathnasium curriculum and instructional approach differ from a traditional school setting? • What qualities should you look for in a good math tutor?

In this episode, the search for a temporary co-host to sub for Pete turns into a conversation about mathematical substitutions. Join Noah and (the other) Pete as they talk about this powerful strategy, and why being manipulative can be a good thing when you're doing math.

• Link to this episode's puzzle

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • How can you use substitution to solve a system of linear equations? • Why are mathematical manipulations like substitution considered a critical skill for students?

With Pete away on vacation, Noah invites a panel of educators over for a lively conversation about mathematics instruction. Join us as the panel discusses their early days in the classroom, how math education has changed over the past few decades, and what changes they'd like to see in the future.

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • How has math education changed over the past few decades? • How has technology like digital assistants and online learning tools impacted math education?

An idea for a new ice cream treat leads Pete and Noah to discuss the different conic sections that can be created by intersecting a cone with a plane at various angles. Grab a flashlight and get ready to shine a (cone-shaped) light on these interesting geometric creations with us.

• Image of the four non-degenerate conic sections

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What are conic sections and how are they formed?• What is the difference between a parabola and a catenary curve?

You've probably seen people arguing on social media about memes that say: "Only a true genius will get this one right", followed by a simple looking expression to evaluate. In this episode, a mathematical miscalculation inspires a conversation about math conventions, order of operations, and being careful before placing a delivery order. And the best news is, you don't have to be a true genius to enjoy this episode!

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What is the order of operations in math? • Is the order of operations a mathematical fact or a convention?

In our last episode, Pete walked Noah through a calculation (using Newton's Law of Cooling) to predict what the temperature of a hot cup of water would be 10 minutes later. Here's a video bonus to help follow along with the calculations they made.

After Pete spills a cup of hot coffee, he and Noah conduct an experiment to test Newton's Law of Cooling, a physical law that describes the rate at which warm objects cool down. Along the way, they discuss differential equations, exponential functions, and the proper way to sit after getting in a hot tub. This may be the hottest episode of the Math Club yet!

• Photo of our experiment setup

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What is Newton's Law of Cooling and how does it predict temperature changes over time? • How do you calculate the heat transfer coefficient for a cooling liquid using an exponential function?

Have you ever engaged in some friendly smack-talk during a sporting event? In this episode, Pete and Noah are on the receiving end of a lot of teasing out on the softball field. After the game, they analyze this kind of interaction and use a clever thought experiment to shed light on an important issue of social equality.

• Karen Petri's video - Why attacks on sexism are not attacks on men

• Leave us a voice message

• Find us on Twitter

• Send us an email

Questions Answered in the Episode: • What is the Petrie multiplier and how does it explain the disproportionate experience of discrimination in the workplace? • How does the ratio of majority to minority populations mathematically affect the frequency of negative interactions received by individuals in the minority group?