Mathematics – Athens Science Observer

Demystifying sports analytics: how data has changed the game

Riley Thoen — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:23:32 +0000

It’s fourth down with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Your favorite team has the ball on their 40-yard line, with 6 yards to go for a first down. They’re down by a touchdown; it’s an obvious punting situation, so you go to grab some more wings anticipating a commercial break. “They’re going for …

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Natural Philosophers and Seekers of Truths: The Missing “Ph” in “PhD”

Audrey Ward — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:41:27 +0000

The History of the PhD While many students aim to earn their PhDs, few know the philosophical history of the degrees they are pursuing. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil) began as the degree awarded in recognition of advanced scholarship and acknowledging that recipients had expertise needed to teach at a university level. These …

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Finding Comfort in Uncertainty

Guppy Stott — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 18:37:00 +0000

Ping! A Google News notification, â€œThis Coffee Drinking Habit May Help Your Brain,â€ appears. I don't have time to read it now, but I pour myself an extra cup of coffee, feeling justified. The next day, ping! Another Google News notification: â€œToo much coffee can cause your brain to shrink, increasing your dementia risk by …

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Cuddly Coral: The Story of the Crochet Coral Reef

athenssciencecafe — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:24:20 +0000

The sudden ubiquity of pumpkin spice flavoring makes it official: Fall is upon us. It's the perfect time to wrap up in a comfy blanket, find a rocking chair, and knit yourself something soft. If you're short on ideas, here's a little inspiration:

Symmetry and Physics

athenssciencecafe — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 02:35:48 +0000

If you are interested in trying to understand physics, either at a technical level or at an amateur level, at some point you will inevitably hear a physicist waxing on about the beauty of the physical laws. This might sound very strange if your view of physics is tedious calculations and horrible professors tricking you …

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For every age, t, there exists hope for a great accomplishment.

athenssciencecafe — Tue, 23 May 2017 01:07:38 +0000

In May 2013, a paper was received by the Annals of Mathematics. There were three things unusual about the event: first the author was completely unknown. Second, it claimed to prove a theorem that no one thought would be amenable to prove within a generation. Lastly, relatively speaking, the paper was pushed through the peer …

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There is more to infinity than you know

athenssciencecafe — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 23:37:28 +0000

As kids, most of us probably remember being fascinated with huge numbers as soon as we learned how to count. I recall spending hours punching numbers into a calculator and being mesmerized at how quickly or slowly the numbers became huge. Try calculating the natural logarithm of the natural logarithm of a huge number, and watch …

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read

athenssciencecafe — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:25:39 +0000

Don't Believe Everything You Read: The Importance of Statistics Education Did you know that approximately 73.6% of statistics are made up on the spot? Now, I don't actually know the true percentage, but this common phrase conveys the idea that at least some statistics are made up. Often times, reported statistics are incorrect or not …

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Math Meets Mayhem: How Fractals Shape the Universe

athenssciencecafe — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:24:15 +0000

By strategically eating a single spaghetti noodle, you can make it last forever. Let me explain.Suppose you take a string of spaghetti, cut it into thirds, and eat the middle section; repeating over and over with the remaining sections. It won’t make a particularly substantial meal- the pieces you eat will quickly become infinitely small- …

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