With Etch a Sketches and Apples, Math Is Revealed – Pearson Global News & Education

Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.Steven Strogatz was 13, sitting in science class, when he became fascinated with math.His teacher had asked the class to explore the relationship between the length of a pendulum rod and how long it takes to complete a swing. After testing various lengths and plotting the results on a graph, he found that the data points created a curved shape called a parabola, something he had learned about in algebra.“It was an almost religious experience,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been entranced by this idea that there is an invisible world of mathematics that is secretly structuring the world.”His early fascination with math would become a lifelong one. Now, as a professor of applied mathematics at Cornell, Mr. Strogatz teaches students how to use math to solve real-world problems.Mr. Strogatz, who has written several columns on mathematics for The New York Times, is applying some of the lessons he’s learned in his 31 years of teaching at Cornell to a special four-part series for the Health and Science section of The Times: Math, Revealed.In the series, Mr. Strogatz uses familiar objects to explain complex concepts. In one installment, he looked at the geometry of cab driving using an Etch A Sketch. In another, he used an apple to demonstrate the golden ratio. Each column relies on striking, colorful imagery that helps to illustrate its idea or theme.In an interview, Mr. Strogatz shared the lessons he’s learned from his reporting and those he hopes readers take away from the series. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

Steven Strogatz was 13, sitting in science class, when he became fascinated with math.

His teacher had asked the class to explore the relationship between the length of a pendulum rod and how long it takes to complete a swing. After testing various lengths and plotting the results on a graph, he found that the data points created a curved shape called a parabola, something he had learned about in algebra.

“It was an almost religious experience,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been entranced by this idea that there is an invisible world of mathematics that is secretly structuring the world.”

His early fascination with math would become a lifelong one. Now, as a professor of applied mathematics at Cornell, Mr. Strogatz teaches students how to use math to solve real-world problems.

Mr. Strogatz, who has written several columns on mathematics for The New York Times, is applying some of the lessons he’s learned in his 31 years of teaching at Cornell to a special four-part series for the Health and Science section of The Times: Math, Revealed.

In the series, Mr. Strogatz uses familiar objects to explain complex concepts. In one installment, he looked at the geometry of cab driving using an Etch A Sketch. In another, he used an apple to demonstrate the golden ratio. Each column relies on striking, colorful imagery that helps to illustrate its idea or theme.

In an interview, Mr. Strogatz shared the lessons he’s learned from his reporting and those he hopes readers take away from the series. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.