News Release
February 2002
(Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania) -- Moravian College will hold a special "mathemagical"
presentation by Dr. Arthur Benjamin on Friday, February 22 at 8 p.m.
in Foy Concert Hall. The performance is open to the public and admission
is free.
Benjamin is the world's foremost lightning calculator,
who can perform his amazing mental feats faster than it can be done
on a calculator. Combining his skills as a magician, his mind as a mathematician,
Benjamin will not only demonstrate his remarkable skill with numbers,
but also teach the audience how he does it. His show is real math, from
a real mathematician, that leaves audience members enthusiastic-about
math.
Benjamin is a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd
College in Claremont, California. He earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics
from Carnegie Mellon University and his Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences
from Johns Hopkins University. He is co-author of two books on teaching
mathematics and the inventor of the Mathemagics course, which teaches
children and adults the secrets of rapid mental calculation.
Benjamin is also a professional magician, combining his
talents in a dynamic presentation that he calls "Mathemagics."
He has appeared on television demonstrating his lightning calculation
talents. He frequently performs at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and
has presented his Mathemagics show to schools and organizations all
over the world.
Benjamin has been featured in numerous publications including:
The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Scientific American, Discover Magazine,
Omni Magazine, Esquire Magazine, and People Magazine. He has appeared
on many programs including: The Today Show, National Public Radio, and
Amazing Discoveries.
Benjamin has served as editor of the Spectrum book series
for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and currently serves
on the editorial board of Mathematics Magazine, the UMAP Journal, and
the Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library. In 2000, he received the MAA's
Haimo Award for Distinguished Teaching. Aside from his research interests
in "combinatorics" and game theory, he enjoys tournament backgammon,
racing calculators, and performing magic.
On Saturday, February 23, Benjamin will give an address,
"Proofs that really work," at the Student Mathematics Conference
sponsored by Moravian College's chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon and the Lehigh
Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC): Cedar Crest College,
Lehigh University, DeSales University, Moravian College, Lafayette College,
and Muhlenberg College.
This sixteenth annual conference at Moravian College offers
a unique opportunity for undergraduate students in the Tri-State area
to meet and discuss mathematics. The day begins with a lively keynote
address followed by a program devoted to student talks in the fields
of mathematics, statistics, operations research, and computing.
