Arthur T. Benjamin
| Arthur T. Benjamin | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | March 19, 1961 Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Residence | Claremont, California, USA |
| Nationality | USA |
| Fields | Mathematics, combinatorics |
| Institutions | Harvey Mudd College |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Mellon University Johns Hopkins University |
| Known for | Mental mathematics feats. Combinatorics. |
Arthur T. Benjamin (born March 19, 1961) is an American mathematician who specializes in combinatorics. Since 1989 he has been a Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College.
He is known for mental math capabilities and mathemagics performances. These have included shows at the Magic Castle[1] and TED.[2] He is also the first mathematician to have been featured on the Colbert Report.
He has a Bachelor of Science with highest honors in Applied Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University in 1983, a Master of Science in Engineering in Mathematical Sciences in 1985 and a Doctor of Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University in 1989; his PhD dissertation was titled "Turnpike Structures for Optimal Maneuvers". During his freshman year at CMU he wrote the lyrics and created the magic effects for the musical comedy, Kije!, in collaboration with author Scott McGregor and composer Arthur Darrell Turner. This musical was the winner of an annual competition and was first performed as the CMU's Spring Musical in 1980.[3]
The Mathematical Association of America gave him a regional award for distinguished teaching in 1999 and a national one in 2000. He was the Mathematical Association of America's George Pólya Lecturer for 2006-8.
He also filmed a series of The Teaching Company lectures called "The Joy of Mathematics"[4], "Discrete Mathematics".[5], and "The Secrets of Mental Math".[6]
Dr. Benjamin was one of the performers at the inaugural San Diego Science Festival on April 4, 2009.[7]
Professor Benjamin won the American Backgammon Tour in 1997.
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Mathemagics: Dr. Benjamin's Recent Performances". http://www.math.hmc.edu/~benjamin/general.html. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "Arthur Benjamin: Lightning calculation and other "Mathemagic"". http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/arthur_benjamin_does_mathemagic.html. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ^ "Kije! A Musical Fairy Tale". http://www.smcgregor.com/kije/. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "Joy of Mathematics". The Teaching Company. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1411&pc=By%20Title. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "Discrete Mathematics". The Teaching Company. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1456. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
- ^ "The Secrets of Mental Math". The Teaching Company. http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1406. Retrieved 2011–3–26.
- ^ "San Diego Science Festival Schedule of Performances". San Diego Science Festival. http://www.sdsciencefestival.com/schedule-of-performances.html. Retrieved 2009-02-12.[dead link]
[edit] See also
- Harvey Mudd College
- Mathematics
- Child prodigy
- Mental calculators
- Mental calculations
- Mental Calculation World Cup
