Problem of the Week

Take a look at this week's Problem of the Week! This is a very standard problem that may come up in a differential equations class.

Solution below the break.

Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week

Check out this week's Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week. Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution below the break.

Back to School!

At the Center of Math, we hope you are all enjoying the last week of August! September is right around the corner, and although school may not be the first thing on your mind, now is a good time to start preparing for the academic year ahead– especially if you are starting a new phase in your life, like college! The #CenterofMath wants to help you succeed mathematically and in all of your academic pursuits. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as the final days of summer float by!


Get Organized!

It may sound self explanatory, but being organized can help in all aspects of your life–especially school! Whether it's keeping your room clean or keeping your notebooks in line, knowing where you're belongings are can save you time and stress. In college, staying organized with your classes becomes especially important. Find a method that works for you and stick to it! Perhaps a large wall calendar suits you best, or a small day planner does the trick. If you're a technology fanatic, use your phone or computer calendar. Keeping track of your assignments, exams, and activities will allow you to prioritize your time and stay on top of your work.

Stay Healthy
You may not see a clear correlation between your grades and your health, but making good decisions regarding your health can yield benefits in many different areas. Eating a balanced diet can make you feel more upbeat and energetic. Those cafeteria cookies are a good treat, but over indulging can lead to health issues and make you feel sluggish. Another important aspect of a healthy life is getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep can worsen your immune system and make you more prone to catching those colds that run rampant in college dorms. Try getting in a healthy routine now, and it will be much easier to keep once classes begin.

Review Material/Keep Learning
To train your muscles, you can run or exercise. Although your brain isn't a muscle, it still needs to be 'trained'. Make sure you stay in the academic mindset by reading, completing puzzles, or reviewing class material so that by the time school starts, you've already completed your warm up and are ready to go!

The Center of Math can help with this. Head to our blog to check out some best selling books and puzzle games.

Our YouTube channel features quick reviews, 1 minute shorts, and even full lectures to set your mind into math mode before school starts. You can even watch them while lounging outside!

Use Your Resources

Each student on a college campus is given an academic advisor, usually specified for a particular major or program of study. It can be extremely helpful to visit this advisor, as they can provide useful advice and assist you in scheduling your classes. Furthermore, many majors have specific tutoring services that employ students who have taken the courses already. Along the same lines, professors often hold office hours with an open door policy. They like to meet face to face with students, and showing up to your professor's office can help you build connections and a solid repertoire.  All of these resources are beneficial to you and free of charge, but no one will force you to take advantage of them! Take it upon yourself and go the extra mile, because typically it'll help you in the future! Now is a great time to figure out what is available to you at your campus!

Problem of the Week

Check out this week's Problem of the Week. Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution video and transcript below the break.

Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week

Enjoy this week's Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week! Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution below the break.

Problem of the Week

We hope you are enjoying the Olympics as much as we are! Check out this week's fast-paced Problem of the Week! Let us know how you did in the comments.

Solution below the break.

Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week

Check out this week's Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week. Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution below the break.

Gradarius and Worldwide Center of Mathematics Launch Integrated Product and Service Offerings

New Partnership Offers Aligned Differential and Integral Calculus Learning Experiences

Columbus, OH – August 4, 2016 – Today Gradarius and the Worldwide Center of Mathematics launched the first two of a planned series of Calculus learning modules at MAA MathFest 2016. The two Gradarius Content Modules are based on the Center’s Worldwide Differential Calculus and Worldwide Integral Calculusdigital and print textbooks, and will be available later this month.

Gradarius is the world’s first stepwise Calculus Learning Platform™. Gradarius provides students with engaging online learning experiences that teach and reinforce logical step-by-step problem solving methods. Students are encouraged to “show their work,” in a similar manner to solving Calculus problems on paper, and can receive meaningful feedback and guidance during each step of the problem-solving process.

“We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with the Gradarius team,” said Dr. David Massey, Founder and Director of the Worldwide Center for Mathematics. “The innovation of the Gradarius platform brings a whole new dimension of student engagement to the Worldwide Calculus series. For the first time, a student can get detailed feedback about each step of a solution while solving a problem any time of the day or night. Instructors can immediately see the details about how every student enrolled in their Calculus classes are solving each step of a problem.”

The Worldwide Center of Mathematics provides a comprehensive set of high quality instructional videos along with textbooks in digital and print formats that are designed to be more affordable than conventional textbooks. In addition to Differential and Integral Calculus the Center’s Calculus offerings include Pre-Calculus, Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations with Linear Algebra, and Calculus resources designed specifically for high school students.

“We are impressed by the mission of the Worldwide Center of Mathematics, the quality of its instructional resources, and the dedication of its team,” said Dr. Alexei Miasnikov, Founder of Gradarius and Director of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Stevens Institute of Technology. “We believe that students using Gradarius with Center resources, will obtain an even deeper understanding of Calculus concepts and topics. Additionally, instructors will gain significantly better insights into their students’ strengths, areas for improvement, and overall achievements.”

MAA MathFest participants are invited to preview the modules and review the textbooks by visiting Gradarius in booth #7 and the Worldwide Center of Mathematics in booth #40. 

About the Worldwide Center of MathematicsThe Worldwide Center of Mathematics (centerofmath.org) was founded in 2008 by Dr. David B. Massey, a career mathematician and educator of more than 30 years. Its mission is to engage and nurture the local and global mathematics communities. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and focused solely on mathematics, the Center of Math publishes research and other academic resources. Leveraging today’s technology, the Center of Math produces primarily digital resources, including textbooks, videos, research and more.

About GradariusGradarius (www.gradarius.com) is the world’s first stepwise Calculus Learning Platform™. With Calculus as the principal gateway to STEM education and careers, Gradarius provides students with engaging online learning experiences that teach and reinforce logical step-by-step problem solving methods. Encouraging students to “show their work,” in a similar manner to solving Calculus problems on paper, Gradarius provides feedback and guidance to students during every step of the problem-solving process to help students achieve concept mastery and understanding. Combining data analytics with patent-pending adaptive-learning algorithmic techniques, Gradarius helps instructors save time and gain efficiencies by readily identifying areas of strength and weakness for every student. With Gradarius, universities, colleges, and high schools can realize measurable learning outcomes, increased student retention, and higher student satisfaction.

http://www.gradarius.com/gradarius-centerofmath-partnership/ 

Problem of the Week

Check out this week's Problem of the Week. Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution below the break.

Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week

Check out this week's Advanced Knowledge Problem of the Week. Let us know how you did in the comments!

Solution below the break.

Problem of the Week

Check out this week's problem of the week! Let us know how you did in the comments. 

Solution below the break.

Why Should You Study Math?

To nobody's surprise, at the Center of Math we really love our mathematics. One of our main goals is to share the subject with as many people as possible, but in order to do that, we need to answer one very important question. Why learn mathematics?

Imagine this: you’re walking alone at night. It’s dark. It’s cold. You hear someone slinking around when suddenly they jump out screaming: “TELL ME THE CRITICAL POINTS OF THE FUNCTION f(x,y,z) = 2x² + 5y - z³ + 3 OR I’LL ROB YOU!”

This is not the reason why you should learn math…

So why should you?

Math is not everybody’s best subject, but it’s no secret our schools believe it’s important. I’ve noticed the “You have to learn math so you can be prepared for the nefarious Calculus Crook” is the joke a lot of teachers tell when asked this question. In reality, they’re just sneakily hiding the truth.

Math makes you a better problem solver.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an English major or a mathematician, the ability to solve problems using logic while following rules is crucial. You can’t resolve the economic issues of the United States of America with big talk and no thought. In addition, if you’re confronted with an issue of reasoning, you’ll be thankful you had your logic skills sharpened from years of math training. Even if you forget the volume of a sphere is (4/3)πr³, you can’t unlearn the intuition needed to know how to solve a problem.

Studies show people who learn better math in high school make more money than those who don’t. Learning math gives you many more skills than just being able to take the derivative of x² - ln(x) - csc(x) (which is 2x - (1/x) + cot(x)csc(x)). You develop a strong work ethic. You learn to ask good questions. You stop fearing complex problems. The fact that people who take higher level math at a young age tend to succeed more is not surprising.  

American mathematician William Paul Thurston said “Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding”. Without said understanding of math, the study of physics wouldn’t exist, and then we wouldn’t have modern technology. Development of civilizations would have crawled. Math helps us understand the universe.

Even if you don’t study math for a living, learning it will help you develop skills. You may even want to join the ranks of mathematicians who enhance and spread our understanding of the universe. Maybe you’ll be the next one to solve a million-dollar math question. Regardless of what path you’ve chosen in life, math can and will benefit you.


And here at the WCoM, we'd be thrilled to help you explore the subject!