Math 8: The Mathematical Way of Thinking

Mr. Banchoff.

The course treats topics in the geometry of four and higher dimensions, related to different parts of mathematics as well as interrelations with physical and biological sciences, literature, cognitive science, philosophy, and art. There are substantial writing assignments and final projects, involving mathematical and non-mathematical topics. There are no prerequisites.

Class meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2-2:50pm. It is in exam group 7.

Conferencing System

We have found what appears to be an adequate conferencing system. You can start to look at it now; a more complete set of discussion areas will be available in the next few days. Instructions will also be forthcoming. If you want to experiment now, please use the Sandbox conference.

(** inactive as of 6/96)



• Discussion Groups
• Chat Room (interactive conversation area.)
• Help on Conferencing System. Coming soon
• Help with Chat Room. Coming soon.

Having problems submitting your responses??? Send E-Mail to David Akers or Jeremy Kahn.

Online Books:

• Flatland, by Edwin A. Abbott.
• The Republic, by Plato.
• Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift.

Papers

• Week 1:
  • Flatland Questions (w1.html)
  • Hypercube Edges (w1h.html)
• Week 2:
  • 1884 News (w2.html)
  • More 1884 News (w2a.html)
• Week 3:
  • Chapter 1: Beyond 3-D (w3.html)
  • Gulliver/Plato Responses (w3gp.html)
• Week 4:
  • Chapter 2: Beyond 3-D (w4.html)
• Week 5:
  • Chapter 3: Beyond 3-D (w5.html)
  • Dandelin Construction for Cylinders
• Week 6:
  • Chapter 4: Beyond 3-D (w6.html)
  • Dimensional Short Stories (story.html)
• Week 7:
  • Chapter 5: Beyond 3-D (w7.html)
• Week 8:
  • Reflections (w8.html)
• Week 9:
  • Chapter 6: Beyond 3-D (w9.html)
• Week 10:
  • Chapter 7: Beyond 3-D (w10.html)
• Week 11:
  • Chapter 8: Beyond 3-D (w11.html)
• Week 12:
  • Chapter 9: Beyond 3-D (w12.html)
  • Taxicab geometry
• Week 13:
  • The Final Project
    • Polyobjects final project
    • Mazes final project
    • Cosmology final project
    • Geometry Updated final project
    • Literature final project
• Week 14:
  • Final Reflections (w14.html) Click here for a copy of the questions.

Technical Help and Information

NOTE: There are changes to the Information Sheet and Login Procedure. Please reread for new information. (Changes made 2/2, 5 PM)

Papers for this class should be written using HTML, and then placed onto the Math8 server, so they can be read by all students in the class over the WWW.

The Appleshare file server is STG WWW2, in the brn_STG zone. Your username is firstname_lastname, and the password will be given out in class. You can also connect to the fileserver using ftp from a non-Mac computer. Just ftp to www2.stg.brown.edu, and use the same username and password as above. The only folder you will have permissions to in either case is your own.

** All files were moved from the appleshare server www2 to the UNIX server on swansong as of summer '96.

There are instructions if you need help with HTML, or with logging into the file server. There is also a template document if you want to copy its format for your own papers.