AR 213-MA - Infinity and Beyond

Min Units: 3
Max Units: 3
Is infinity a knowable concept? The ability to wrestle with the infinite remains one of the pinnacles of human thought. Many of the big ideas of ancient and modern mathematics are related to this notion. With infinity as a unifying theme, this course aims to engage students in exploratory investigations and mathematical ways of thinking in topics like estimation, rigorous proof of universal statements, iterative limits, resolution of paradoxes, inherent limitations of computer calculations, and the extension of ideas to new settings. Practical outcomes include improved numeracy and sense of scale, appreciation for the application of abstract mathematics, awareness of limits in computational models, insights in philosophy and aesthetics, novel techniques of thought, and a general emphasis on careful reasoning. (U) Occasionally