ESP Biography

Why do people consider mathematicians smart? How do they prove seemingly impenetrable theorems? Is it just brute force or does solving math problems involve some clever thinking? By using techniques from combinatorics--a branch of discrete mathematics that is both fun and approachable without much background knowledge--we will explore how simple, intuitive ideas like the Pigeonhole Principle can lead to profound results. I will go over a number of common techniques and then we will use them to solve some interesting problems. Whether you are a seasoned "mathlete" or just someone curious about math, this class will hopefully leave you with a sense of the creativity that transcends mathematics. Prior experience with proofs would be helpful, though not required.