CCST9037/AS1/TNK/13-14sem2

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
SCNC9037: Mathematics: A Cultural Heritage
Assignment 1
The purpose of this assignment is to investigate in what ways mathematics is presented in the
internet/printed mass media.

Start collecting clippings that have to do with mathematics from current (published later than
January 27th 2014) newspapers, magazines, or webpages (in English or in Chinese, whose target
audience is the general public). The items can be news, columns, advertisements, cartoons, etc.

Do not take an excerpt out of a book or a magazine or a website which is specifically on

mathematics or science per se. E.g., clippings from magazines or websites such as New Scientists,
Nature, American Mathematical Society, Science News, or from a personal blog, are not acceptable.

Target number of items is 10.

For each item, record clearly the source and date, and write a note of a sentence or two (in English)
to explain how that item is related to mathematics. If the content of the item was originally written
in Chinese, please provide also a brief description or translation in English.

After collecting all 10 items, write an additional passage between 200 to 300 words to comment on
the mathematical contents and express your overall views about the items in relation to the
Learning Outcomes of this course (you can find the Course Learning Outcomes in the Course
Description file or in the ppt notes of Lecture 1 and Lecture 2).

Submit your 10 items (and number them) and your type-written passage in a single Word or PDF file
through Moodle.

Due date: 16:55 April 22nd, 2014.

Some examples of clippings are in the next few pages. Note that they were collected previously and
hence are not current; but the items you collect for this assignment must be published later than
January 27th 2014.

Item 1
Source and date: Ming Pao (), Dec 21, 2012
Brief translation of news content: University professor applied mathematical models to win horse race. His
business partner files law suit to claim compensation.
Note to explain how this news clipping is related to mathematics: Most people would like to know secret
mathematical formulas to win bets. Such mathematical knowledge, if exists, will be sought after by many.

Item 2
Source and date: Ming Pao (), Jan 29, 2013
Note: The "mathletes vs athletes" poster shows a brain and a boxing glove. Here mathematics is associated
with brain power or intelligence.

Item 3
Source and date: Mail Online, Nov 1, 2012
URL:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2226247/Maths-really-CAN-make-head-hurt-researchers-say.html#axzz2JjjaNpVc

Note: Here is some medical evidence to show that, at least for some people, the pain of doing
mathematics is real.