The Math Club – Details, episodes & analysis

Pete’s efforts to help Noah prepare for an upcoming math competition lead to a conversation with Kristen Chandler, the executive director of MATHCOUNTS.  Join Pete and Noah as they learn about this fascinating organization that provides engaging math programs to middle school students around the country. 

• MATHCOUNTS website

• Email Kristen Chandler

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A batch of almost perfect waffles leads Pete and Noah into an exploration of an interesting probability result.  Come find out how, whether you’re eating breakfast or hiring a new employee, math is here to help you make the best choice.

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In this episode, Pete and Noah tackle an “unsolvable math problem” that appeared in a recent Newsweek article (Spoiler: It's not that unsolvable). Join us as we apply linear algebra to this puzzle from start to Finnish.

• The Newsweek article

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In this episode, Pete and Noah explore the question, "Can AI do math?" Armed with several boxes of Chicken McNuggets, they put ChatGPT to the test, scrutinizing its mathematical prowess and giggling over how bad its attempts sometimes are. Join them as they investigate just how far the digital mind can go in mastering the realm of numbers.

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A somewhat traumatic memory about fifth grade timed multiplication tests inspires Pete and Noah to have a conversation with Dr. Juli Dixon, author of a brand new program for teaching math facts fluency without all of the anxiety.  Join us for our most factacular episode to date!

• Dr. Dixon’s DNA Math website

• Find Dr. Dixon on Twitter

• The Fact Tactics Fluency Program book

• Request availability for Dr. Dixon
  
  

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What do you get if you cross 11,520 isosceles triangles with the happiest place on Earth? The Epcot ball, of course, which is perhaps the most famous geodesic structure in the world. Join Pete and Noah as they investigate these incredibly sturdy mathematical objects… and make sure to wear your clam diggers!

• Picture of the geodesic dome at the Dalí Museum in Figueres, Spain

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Pete is back, and Noah is eager to hear about his trip and record a new episode about an interesting bit of European math.  Join us for some zero-based counting, inspired by an elevator that Pete rode on his first day in Spain.

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We’ve spoken with previous guests about classroom math instruction, as well as how to help students with learning disabilities in mathematics.  But what about the enormous middle ground of students who need extra help, but don’t qualify for special education services?  In this episode we’re joined by Jonathan Bleecker, owner of a Mathnasium learning center, for an engaging conversation about how math tutors help to fill in those gaps.

• Contact Livermore Mathnasium

• Mathnasium’s website

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In this episode, the search for a temporary co-host to sub for Pete turns into a conversation about mathematical substitutions.  Join Noah and (the other) Pete as they talk about this powerful strategy, and why being manipulative can be a good thing when you’re doing math.

• Link to this episode's puzzle

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With Pete away on vacation, Noah invites a panel of educators over for a lively conversation about mathematics instruction.  Join us as the panel discusses their early days in the classroom, how math education has changed over the past few decades, and what changes they’d like to see in the future. 

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