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Questions tagged [teaching]

For questions related to teaching mathematics. For questions in Mathematics Education as a scientific discipline there is also the tag mathematics-education. Note you may also ask your question on http://matheducators.stackexchange.com/.

27 votes
5 answers
5k views

The Matrix-Tree Theorem without the matrix

I'm teaching an introductory graph theory course in the Fall, which I'm excited about because it gives me the chance to improve my understanding of graphs (my work is in topology). A highlight for me ...
3 votes
2 answers
98 views

Accessible literature on fractional dimensions of subsets of $\mathbb R^n$

I am currently wondering whether it is realistically possible to choose the topic "Fractals and fractal dimensions" for a seminar aimed at undergraduate students in the 2nd semester, with ...
32 votes
9 answers
21k views

Interesting applications of the classical Stokes theorem?

When students learn multivariable calculus they're typically barraged with a collection of examples of the type "given surface X with boundary curve Y, evaluate the line integral of a vector field Y ...
4 votes
2 answers
238 views

Teaching suggestions for Kleene fixed point theorem

I will take over two lectures from a colleague in which we discuss fixed point theory in the context of complete partial orders, and culminates in showing the Kleene fixed point theorem (see f.e. ...
386 votes
115 answers
108k views

Not especially famous, long-open problems which anyone can understand

Question: I'm asking for a big list of not especially famous, long open problems that anyone can understand. Community wiki, so one problem per answer, please. Motivation: I plan to use this list in ...
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

Hard problems with an easy-to-understand answer

I am very interested by problem in mathematics which are difficult (go at least 10 years without a resolution, say) but which have a solution that is short and elementary. In this video Launay gave an ...
41 votes
3 answers
3k views

Can the unsolvability of quintics be seen in the geometry of the icosahedron?

Q1. Is it possible to somehow "see" the unsolvability of quintic polynomials in the $A_5$ symmetries of the icosahedron (or dodecahedron)? Perhaps this is too vague a question. Q2. Are there ...
80 votes
7 answers
19k views

Teaching statements for math jobs?

What is the purpose of the "teaching statement" or "statement of teaching philosophy" when applying for jobs, specifically math postdocs? I am applying for jobs, and I need to write one of these ...
86 votes
44 answers
20k views

Demystifying complex numbers

At the end of this month I start teaching complex analysis to 2nd year undergraduates, mostly from engineering but some from science and maths. The main applications for them in future studies are ...
3 votes
1 answer
157 views

Notation for weak derivatives

I remember that, as a student, I felt a bit uncomfortable because I had to use the same notation (say $f'$, $D^\alpha f$, $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x^j}$, $\nabla \cdot f$ etc...) for classical and ...
3 votes
0 answers
152 views

Suitability of formal type theory for mathematical thinking (vs. traditional set theory)

Type theory has advantages over set theory for the (computer) formalisation of mathematics, but has anybody who does mathematics with pen and paper found proof assistants or automated theorem provers, ...
15 votes
4 answers
2k views

PDF readers for presenting Math online

In the current situation it seems especially important to be able to present your mathematical results online in a way that your audience does not fall asleep in front of their screens. But I am ...
123 votes
25 answers
18k views

"Mathematics talk" for five year olds

I am trying to prepare a "mathematics talk" for five year olds from my daughter's elementary school. I have given many mathematics talks in my life but this one feels very tough to prepare. Could the ...
97 votes
19 answers
37k views

Collecting proofs that finite multiplicative subgroups of fields are cyclic

I teach elementary number theory and discrete mathematics to students who come with no abstract algebra. I have found proving the key theorem that finite multiplicative subgroups of fields are cyclic ...
2 votes
1 answer
621 views

Does some published texbook take a particular approach (described here) to the transition from discrete to continuous probability distributions?

(I posted this question at matheducators.stackexchange.com and it seems to be considered an inappropriate question for that site. I don't understand why.) Imagine an introductory probability course ...

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