About us
This is a reading and discussion group for anyone who wants to learn more about mathematics by reading substantive books and then digging into the ideas. We meet monthly to choose books and do short presentations on what we’ve learned so far.
We especially welcome those without formal math backgrounds. If you stopped at high school algebra, no problem! Just be ready to do the work and be patient with yourself and others as we explore the beauty of logic together.
Format:
• We’ll meet for 2 hours at a cafe or similar venue in Kingston
• Also open to meeting on Zoom if the group prefers
• Each meetup will feature three short presentations by members (10–15 minutes each), followed by Q&A and group discussion.
• You can present from a book the whole group is reading, or one you chose yourself
Our first goal is to get fluent enough in math to read and appreciate Proofs from THE BOOK by Aigner & Ziegler -- including explaining those proofs and maybe trying some creative proofs of our own.
Books we’re considering include:
- A Modern Formal Logic Primer by Paul Teller
- Measurement by Paul Lockhart
- How to Solve It by George Pólya
- The Enjoyment of Mathematics by Rademacher & Toeplitz
- Journey Through Genius by William Dunham
- Proofs and Refutations by Imre Lakatos
- Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction by Timothy Gowers
- Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart
- Book of Proof by Richard Hammack
Our first meeting on 6/18 will be a planning and orientation session. We’ll introduce ourselves and pick our first book(s) and presenters.
When and where:
We’re planning to meet on the third Thursday of every month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at a café in Kingston, NY. The exact location is shared when you RSVP.
We’d appreciate it if you can RSVP in advance so we know how many to expect. Please consider buying a drink or snack to support our hosts!
Upcoming events
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