Department of Mathematics
University of Oklahoma

Math Circle Schedule

Spring 2024

$Picture of Deborah Moore-Russo$	February 10, 2024 Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 1105 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Speaker: Deborah Moore-Russo Title: Problems vs. Exercises Abstract: We will consider the difference between mathematical exercises and problems by looking at some general principles put forward by Pólya. We will also consider why some solutions to problems might be more satisfactory, concluding with a problem that can be solved using nets and the Pythagorean Theorem. Slides. Pictures: $2-10-24, Pic 1$ $2-10-24, Pic 2$ $2-10-24, Pic 3$ $2-10-24, Pic 4$ $2-10-24, Pic 5$
$Picture of Mario Morán Cañón$	February 24, 2024 Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 1105 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Speaker: Mario Morán Cañón Title: Fold It, Cut It, Boom! Shapes from One Snip! Abstract: Have you ever cut out fancy snowflakes with intricate designs? What if you could do the same with just one snip? Fold your paper first, and it becomes possible! In this talk, we'll explore the art of folding and cutting to create various shapes: triangles, rectangles, stars, butterflies, ducks, and more. It might seem like magic, but it's all about symmetry! Pictures: $2-24-24, Pic 1$ $2-24-24, Pic 2$ $2-24-24, Pic 3$ $2-24-24, Pic 4$ $2-24-24, Pic 5$ For more on the fold-and-cut problem, written by one of the people who helped solve it, see this link.
$Picture of Peter Patzt$	March 9, 2024 Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 1105 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Speaker: Peter Patzt Title: Cutting and Pasting Shapes Abstract: Given paper sheet, I can cut it into multiple pieces (with straight edges) and attach it back into another shape (with straight edges). Of course the area of the shape didn't change. But what kind of shapes can I produce this way? If time permits we will also consider the analogous problem in 3 dimensions. Pictures: $3-9-24, Pic 1$ $3-9-24, Pic 2$ $3-9-24, Pic 3$ $3-9-24, Pic 4$
$Picture of speaker$	April 6, 2024 (Rescheduled, was previously goiong to be March 30). Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 323 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Note that we are in a different room this week. Speaker: Allen Wu Title: The Kakeya Needle Problem Abstract: Can you design a planar shape, which allows a thin needle of length 1 to make a full 360-turn in it, but which has as small an area as possible? In this talk, the participants will design their own shapes and compete for the minimal area! If time permits, we will describe a somewhat surprising resolution of this problem, and its unexpected connection to modern mathematics. Pictures: $4-6-24, Pic 1$ $4-6-24, Pic 2$
$Picture of speaker$	April 20, 2024 (Rescheduled due to conflict with OSSM Math Compeition on April 13). Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 1105 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Speaker: Alan Roche Title: A Tour of Infinity Abstract: Infinity is a strange and wonderful place. Through a series of puzzles, we'll explore some of its strangeness and some of its wonders. Pictures: $4-20-24, Pic 1$
$Picture of speaker$	May 4, 2024 (Rescheduled, no longer on April 27). Time: 1pm-3pm Location: University of Oklahoma, Physical Sciences Center, Room 1105 601 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019. Speaker: Keon Moradi Title: LogicCraft: Exploring Boolean Gates, Building Locks, and Calculating in Binary Abstract: The binary number system introduces a new counting scheme, as well as applications to Boolean logic problems. In this lecture, we'll introduce the binary number system, applications of Boolean logic in Minecraft, and an easy 10-finger method to obtain the binary representation of decimal numbers ranging from 0 to 1023. Pictures: $5-4-24, Pic 1$ $5-4-24, Pic 2$