MATH 1030 Quantitative Literacy -- Class Presentations
You will do a number of presentations in class througout
the semester. With the exception of the final group
presentation, each of them should take about 3-5 minutes.
Creativity will be rewarded and visual aids are encouraged.
A written report will be turned in for each presentation
as well. The report should be more than one page but not
more than two pages in length. Formatting should include
1 in margins on all sides, double spaced, and Times New
Roman font in 12-point size. You can submit the report
via e-mail or print it and hand it to me.
The due dates are listed on the
listing of homework problems.
A million things:
Bring a million of something in to class. That is a
million copies or instances of one kind of thing, not a
million completely different kinds of things. You have to
be able to literally and physically carry them all into
class, yet you must also be able to point to one of them
so we can see it. Make sure there are
at least a million of them. Tell us how you know there
are at least a million and show us how you arrived at an
estimate for how many you have. Don't pick the same kind
of thing as any other student in the class.
Biography of a Mathematician:
One of your presenations will be about a mathematician.
Present a short biography of a mathematician who is
dead and/or famous. (Dead obscure ones are OK, as are live
famous ones. Obviously dead famous ones are OK too,
but not live obscure ones). Use (and cite properly in
your written report) at least two sources. Each student
must report on a different mathematician. Tell us only
briefly about their birth, death, and family members.
Focus on their mathematical contributions, but also
mention any unusual aspects of their personal,
human side too.
Here are a few links to get you started:
The Math Book:
Pick a topic from
The Math Book and give a short report on it in class.
Find and use at least one other source on the topic.
Cite both sources properly in your written report. The
library has a copy of the book, or you can browse through
it before or after class or in my office.
Final Group Presentation:
Your group (of about four students) should pick a section
in the textbook that is not covered in the regular
schedule. You'll have a full 50-minute period near the
end of the semester to teach the topic to the class.
Make sure all group members participate equally, both in
preparation and in presentation.
