Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso Art Duval and Helmut Knaust March 6, 2004 “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not Eureka! (I found it!) but ‘That’s funny…’” Isaac Asimov

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science The Problem: Math majors take 4-5 courses geared for science and engineering majors, heavy on computation, then show up for their first classes for math majors, and encounter proofs for the first time. They do not know what a proof is, why you'd want one, or how to construct one.

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science The Problem (cont’d): Others, unsure whether to major in math or something else, base their decision on those same 4-5 more applied courses, never discovering that math is primarily about proofs. An existing course focuses on how to write a proof, once you have an idea of what you want to prove, but not on how to find the idea of the proof. "Nuts and bolts" of proof-writing (sets, functions, relation), not enough time for big ideas and exploration, not very motivating.

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science The Intervention: New course "Introduction to Higher Mathematics" (Math 2325) –Sophomore level –Only co-requisite: Calculus I –6-7 “labs” on a variety of mathematical topics (two weeks each) –Goal: See why you’d want or need a proof, and how you might discover it.

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science The Laboratories: test conjecture refine conjecture conduct experiment devise experiment formulate conjecture

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science The Laboratories (cont’d): Intriguing open-ended problems Short exposition by instructor Prove conjecture Write report (students can resubmit for a new grade once per lab) Instructor provides guidance and feedback all along

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science Group work: Students work in teams of 2-3 on the experimentation part, while writing up reports individually. Ways in which this interaction takes place: One student at computer, other thinks of experiments to try One student experiments, while other looks for patterns Both students look for patterns on computer Students work separately, but check in with each other every so often

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science What happens to this sequence as n gets large? How does the answer depend on a, b and x o ? Sample Laboratory: Iteration of Linear Functions x n = a x n-1 +b ; initial value x o Convergence only if x 0 =b/(1-a) Convergence only if b=0 Convergence always Convergence never

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science Student comments* * Course Evaluation, Math 2325, Spring 2003 “Challenging but very effective; not overwhelming. Instructor’s excitement for math is contagious.” “Cognitive thinking is better. Mathematical interest is at a peak level for me. Comprehension is strengthened and reinforced. Mathematical inspiration!!” “This class helped to seal the holes in my mathematical knowledge base! I was exposed to many forms of math which I had not been aware of; additionally, terminology and abstract concepts were clarified.” “Great course; I’m very happy it was here this semester. I recommend it to all … students who are unsure of majoring in Math. The best part (personally) is that I can actually read a Math book and understand.”

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science Student comments* * Course Evaluation, Math 2325, Fall 2003 “I enjoyed this class. I learned a lot of new material, which was quite interesting.” “The textbook is really good and correlates exactly to the class.” “I liked the way we explore new mathematical concepts. I like the way the instructor points out the mistakes and encouraged us to turn in a revision.” “I have been very pleased all semester.... Overall very informative and rewarding. I have enjoyed this class immensely.”

Mathematics as an Experimental Laboratory Science □ Art Duval □ Helmut Knaust All Questions Answered, All Answers Questioned* * Borrowed from Donald Knuth