Interesting ideas for mathematics presentation

[sunny79]

I will be doing a presentation in the science symposium at my community college. The common theme is always topics from biology or chemistry but never from physics or mathematics.. I am a Math major and love pure mathematics, I am interested in presenting the great theorems of mathematics inspired by William Dunham's book called " Journey through the genius". The presentation will be around 12-15 minutes where I will try to present some of these theorems in the most interesting way. Other topics I had in my mind were Quipu : The mathematics of the Incas. Number theory and Golden ratio. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Evo]

Other topics I had in my mind were Quipu : The mathematics of the Incas. Number theory and Golden ratio

I would stay away from this as it's nothing but hand waving.

 

[jack476]

I would stay away from this as it's nothing but hand waving.

These? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quipu

I think they'd make for a pretty interesting presentation.

 

[Evo]

These? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quipu

I think they'd make for a pretty interesting presentation.

He was talking about golden ratio. If he wants to do a historical report just about how the Inca counted, no problem, if that's allowed.

 

[ulianjay]

Why is the golden ratio nothing but hand waving?

 

[Evo]

Why is the golden ratio nothing but hand waving?

It is often misused, you'll see it used with numerology and pseudoscience and outright woowoo.

 

[jack476]

Why is the golden ratio nothing but hand waving?

It's really more of an observation than a rigorously derived result. And Evo is right that it can stray dangerously close to math woo.

It is often misused, you'll see it used with numerology and pseudoscience and outright woowoo.

 

[sunny79]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will be sticking to my original plan of theorems.

 

[Evo]

Anyway, looking back, I don't think the OP meant to combine the Inca and the golden ratio, I believe he meant them as separate topics..

 

[sunny79]

I really appreciate your input guys. I shall be doing a presentation about the Pythagoras theorem. Three theorems will be covered. 1) Algebraic 2) Geometric 3) Trigonometric with historical background, significance and a proof accompanied with each one.

 

[sunny79]

Ah well! Today was the final day of the topic submission. I ended up choosing to do a presentation on Euler's identity, An in-depth analysis from a historical, mathematical and scientific perspective. The presentation will be held in late April.

 

[Evo]

Ah well! Today was the final day of the topic submission. I ended up choosing to do a presentation on Euler's identity, An in-depth analysis from a historical, mathematical and scientific perspective. The presentation will be held in late April.

Sounds interesting, good luck with it!

 

[sunny79]

Thanks a lot.