I've come across similar statements about things being "countless", and also cocked an eyebrow when I heard them. For example, I once read that postal codes were unlimited as well, when there are, in fact, only 17,576,000 different possibilities, roughly half of the number of people in Canada. In any case, it never occurred to me that such dubious claims (well, dubious to the mathematically trained) could be turned into lessons. It's quite remarkable just how interested the students got in the problem. This video, enticingly titled "998,001 and its Mysterious Recurring Decimals", showed up as one of the recommended videos in the sidebar.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Two Videos
A friend sent me the following video today, inspired by a child's toy.
I've come across similar statements about things being "countless", and also cocked an eyebrow when I heard them. For example, I once read that postal codes were unlimited as well, when there are, in fact, only 17,576,000 different possibilities, roughly half of the number of people in Canada. In any case, it never occurred to me that such dubious claims (well, dubious to the mathematically trained) could be turned into lessons. It's quite remarkable just how interested the students got in the problem. This video, enticingly titled "998,001 and its Mysterious Recurring Decimals", showed up as one of the recommended videos in the sidebar.
The topic of this video would make an interesting diversion in a course on infinite series, and like the previous video, it has something of a combinatorial flavour.
I've come across similar statements about things being "countless", and also cocked an eyebrow when I heard them. For example, I once read that postal codes were unlimited as well, when there are, in fact, only 17,576,000 different possibilities, roughly half of the number of people in Canada. In any case, it never occurred to me that such dubious claims (well, dubious to the mathematically trained) could be turned into lessons. It's quite remarkable just how interested the students got in the problem. This video, enticingly titled "998,001 and its Mysterious Recurring Decimals", showed up as one of the recommended videos in the sidebar.
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
David Gregory
[Updated: see below]
On Thursday afternoon, I received an email from one of my colleagues that my former supervisor David Gregory's cancer had progressed and that he was in palliative care. I originally planned on visiting him the next day on Friday. However, I ended up spending most of the day finishing up a job application that was due shortly, and the tone of the email did not suggest the situation that was that dire. I had commitments on the weekend, so I put off the visit until Monday. On Monday morning, though, I received an email from Kevin Vander Meulen, friend, fellow collaborator, and also former student of David, who had found his obituary:
The first time I had seen David speak was when he gave a guest lecture on the Good Will Hunting Problem to my undergraduate graph theory class. Although I would not meet him until a few years later, I worked with David for the first time in the spring/summer of 1999 between the 3rd and 4th years of my undergraduate studies on the problem of addressing the Petersen Graph, the graph after which this blog is named. I would collaborate with him again the following summer.
It wasn't until the fall of 2001, when I had started my master's degree at Queen's University, that I met him for the first time. He was already retired then, after his first bout with cancer. Although he was still clearly recovering from his treatment, he would still regularly come into his office to work on his research.
After that, I didn't speak with him again until my original supervisor, Dom de Caen, had passed away in the spring of 2002. Even though he was already retired, David happily accepted me as his master's student, and later as his PhD student.
David was very dedicated as a supervisor. We met at least once a week, sometimes briefly, and sometimes for a whole afternoon. If I had questions outside of our regularly scheduled meetings, he was always happy to make time to discuss them with me, even if I just showed up at his door. When I reflect on the quality of the first draft of my master's project, I can't help but conclude that he was a very patient man. He helped me to turn what was a very rough draft into the final draft, without ever letting on that I had burdened him in any way. He demonstrated the same patience and dedication throughout my PhD studies as well, being available early in the morning as well as sending me helpful emails late in the evening.
David was a regular participant in the Discrete Math Seminar held jointly between the respective departments at Queen's University and the Royal Military College, which I frequently attended. His talks were always interesting, well organized, and easy to follow.
In addition to his role as a supervisor, he was also a good friend, giving me advice on personal matters and helping in other ways.
He will be missed.
-----
A memorial page has been set up by Bryan Shader, one of David's friends and collaborators.
On Thursday afternoon, I received an email from one of my colleagues that my former supervisor David Gregory's cancer had progressed and that he was in palliative care. I originally planned on visiting him the next day on Friday. However, I ended up spending most of the day finishing up a job application that was due shortly, and the tone of the email did not suggest the situation that was that dire. I had commitments on the weekend, so I put off the visit until Monday. On Monday morning, though, I received an email from Kevin Vander Meulen, friend, fellow collaborator, and also former student of David, who had found his obituary:
GREGORY, David - David Gregory of Kingston, Ontario passed away peacefully on Friday July 12, 2013 with friends and family by his side. He is predeceased by his parents Alan and Edith (Towell) Gregory. He is survived by his sister Betty Jane Lerer (Gregory) and his brother-in-law Harvey Lerer. As well he is survived by his nephew Michael Lerer, his niece Tara Lerer (Middleton) and great-nephew David Lerer. The family wants to thank his many friends and colleagues for their care and sympathy throughout his illness. A private funeral is arranged. A memorial celebration of David's life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Canadian Cancer Society or the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation would be preferred.Even if I had gone on Friday, it might have already been too late.
The first time I had seen David speak was when he gave a guest lecture on the Good Will Hunting Problem to my undergraduate graph theory class. Although I would not meet him until a few years later, I worked with David for the first time in the spring/summer of 1999 between the 3rd and 4th years of my undergraduate studies on the problem of addressing the Petersen Graph, the graph after which this blog is named. I would collaborate with him again the following summer.
It wasn't until the fall of 2001, when I had started my master's degree at Queen's University, that I met him for the first time. He was already retired then, after his first bout with cancer. Although he was still clearly recovering from his treatment, he would still regularly come into his office to work on his research.
After that, I didn't speak with him again until my original supervisor, Dom de Caen, had passed away in the spring of 2002. Even though he was already retired, David happily accepted me as his master's student, and later as his PhD student.
David was very dedicated as a supervisor. We met at least once a week, sometimes briefly, and sometimes for a whole afternoon. If I had questions outside of our regularly scheduled meetings, he was always happy to make time to discuss them with me, even if I just showed up at his door. When I reflect on the quality of the first draft of my master's project, I can't help but conclude that he was a very patient man. He helped me to turn what was a very rough draft into the final draft, without ever letting on that I had burdened him in any way. He demonstrated the same patience and dedication throughout my PhD studies as well, being available early in the morning as well as sending me helpful emails late in the evening.
David was a regular participant in the Discrete Math Seminar held jointly between the respective departments at Queen's University and the Royal Military College, which I frequently attended. His talks were always interesting, well organized, and easy to follow.
In addition to his role as a supervisor, he was also a good friend, giving me advice on personal matters and helping in other ways.
He will be missed.
-----
A memorial page has been set up by Bryan Shader, one of David's friends and collaborators.
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