A paper published in the January 2010 issue of Computers & Mathematics with Applications which, according to Times Higher Education, “used unspecified computer ‘magnification technology’ to provide the first proof of a Euclidean axiom called the ‘parallel postulate'”, has been withdrawn by the publisher.
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Math/Maths 95: Massively Multiplayer Online Mathematics
A new episode of the Math/Maths Podcast has been released.
A conversation about mathematics between the UK and USA from Pulse-Project.org. This week Samuel and Peter spoke about: Math Massive Open Online Course (MOOC); A-level sciences ‘lack the maths students need’; School maths should be more practical, say (some) teenagers; College Dropout Became Mathematical Genius After Mugging; Feminine math, science role models do not motivate girls; The Reason that Spies love Math; Rubik’s Challenge 2012; Concorde TSP App; The Traveling Salesman Version of Sam’s Face; Wikipedia adds MathJax display option; IMA YouTube channel; Protection of Freedoms Bill; The Aperiodcast; HUMANS V NATURE: Engineering FTW; and more.
Get this episode: Math/Maths 95: Massively Multiplayer Online Mathematics
Report criticises level of mathematics in A-level science
An article on the BBC website says that a report by SCORE has found that A-level science exams do not contain enough maths questions to prepare students to progress to science degrees or related jobs.
IMA YouTube page launched
The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications have launched a YouTube channel.
World record mass Rubik’s Cube solving attempt in aid of youth homelessness charity
In June 2011 Depaul UK, a youth homelessness charity, broke a world record by having over 300 people in one place solving the Rubik’s cube at the same time. You can view photos of the event on their Flickr page and watch a video covering the attempt below.
Today only: The Geek Atlas ebook half price
I don’t really intend this to be an advert but for a while now I’ve half intended to pick up a copy of John Graham-Cumming’s The Geek Atlas. I just bought a DRM-free ebook half price as part of an International Day Against DRM promotion.
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
One of the reasons given against a pardon for Alan Turing in a November 2011 blog post by John Graham-Cumming (who successfully campaigned for a Turing apology in 2009) was that the Protection of Freedoms bill, if passed, would make a pardon unnecessary. This is because this
specifically allows for the disregarding of convictions under the old law that was used against Turing. Once disregarded the law causes their convictions to be deleted. It’s not quite the same thing as a pardon, but its effect is to lift the burden of a criminal record from these living men.
Now the bill has gained Royal Assent, becoming the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. A short piece in The Independent calls this “a freedom too late” for Alan Turing. The Turing pardon e-petition now has over 33,000 signatures.
Source: Protection of Freedoms Bill.