Peter Keep
@mathprofpeter.bsky.social
Community College math professor interested in math and stats education and also finding and following all of the other CC faculty on this app. I also post about basketball (Toronto Raptors and Chicago Sky) and other things. He/him
Reposted by Peter Keep
ruin your thanksgiving by reading new york magazine's take on mathematics
![The Ten Most
Ridiculous-Sounding
Math Classes Currently
Offered at Liberal-Arts
Colleges
By Jessica Pressler, Janelle Zara, and Emily Watkins Rachel Stein andAviva Shen OCT. 19, 2010
Every year, liberal-arts majors anxiously scour their college's course listings looking for classes that will fulfill their math requirement but aren't so, you know, math-y. Here's what they're signed up for this year.
10. Topology: The Nature of Shape and Space: "In geometry we ask: How big is it? How long is it? But in topology we ask: Is it [Sarah Lawrence
9. The Mathematies of Chance: "Most topics are introduced ina case-study fashion, usually by reading an article in a current periodical such as the New York Times. [Bard]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5itm7jsyrdqdxizkb4cufqxl/bafkreieq6gmwmropzlvjkaaxk6d2smd4tv4dy7qar66uoyv6mhs6naa3fu@jpeg)
![8. Mathematics in Many Cultures: "Mathematical ideas are found in many cultures, among both literate and non-literate peoples. This course examines both mathematics and the role it plays in the cultures. Examples chosen from the mathematical ideas of present-day peoples of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, as well as historic Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Islam and China." [Pomona]
7. The Magic of Numbers: "This course will explore the beauty and mystery of mathematics through a study of the patterns and properties of the natural numbers 1, 2, [and] 3." [Harvard
6. Models of Life: In particular, we will ask such questions as: How do you model the growth of a population of animals? How can you model the growth of a tree? How do sunflowers and seashells grow?" [Kenyon]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5itm7jsyrdqdxizkb4cufqxl/bafkreic3c4ox53ouwr3ij3wsmvetmuknu2u2jai7hlvuigco3ahppeoabi@jpeg)
![5. Mathematical Origamist's Toolkit: "Topics include modular origami and how this models the creation of polyhedra and coloring of graphs, comparison of origami-axiomatic constructions to straight-edge and compass constructions, the combinatorics of possible crease patterns, the mathematics of origami design (circle packing, optimization), matrix models for paperfolding, spherical geometry, Descartes' Theorem, and Gaussian curvature." [Hampshire]
4. Mathematics and Narrative: "Many literary works (Arcadia, Proof, and Uncle Petros and the Goldbach Conjecture) use mathematics as an integral part of their narrative. Movie and television narratives such as Good Will Hunting and Numb3rs are also mathematically based. Nonfiction works about mathematics and mathematical biographies like Chaos, Fermat's Enigma, and A Beautiful Mind provide further examples of the connection between mathematics and narrative." [Vassar]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5itm7jsyrdqdxizkb4cufqxl/bafkreigyk5tqjszw3fodt7ivmszq7mozpta55o7c552oyzpbqyphl26x7m@jpeg)
![3. Borges and Mathematics: "Jorge Luis Borges was one of the most important writers of the 20th century. Many of his short stories and essays were concerned with philosophical, metaphysical, and mathematical questions. The thesis motivating this course is that if we know the mathematies that Borges referred to, then we will read him differently, and we will read him better." [Bennington 2. Mathematics and Science as Art in Contemporary Theatre: "Playwrights such as Tom Stoppard, Rinne Groff, Michael Frayn, and others have effectively explored mathematical and scientific themes for artistic purposes. Through readings and exercises, and by conducting labs and staging scenes, this class will gain some first-hand insight into the complementary ways in which science and art aim to seek out their respective truths." [Middlebury]
1. Meaning, Math, And Motion: "Quoting a charming articulation by Kinsman (a mathematician-turned-oceanographer, in the preface to Wind Waves): "To the beginner, science is a conversation that has been in progress for a very long time. Our collective work is to catch up on the conversation. [Evergreen]
This is why Asia is winning, by the way.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5itm7jsyrdqdxizkb4cufqxl/bafkreihglx3kxej43i22j4vggyoutp2oyomivtmmvgp6uvslqemm4hhpci@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
ruin your thanksgiving by reading new york magazine's take on mathematics
Reposted by Peter Keep
BRANDON INGRAM FOR THE WIN
RAPTORS HAVE WON 9 STRAIGHT
RAPTORS HAVE WON 9 STRAIGHT
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 AM
BRANDON INGRAM FOR THE WIN
RAPTORS HAVE WON 9 STRAIGHT
RAPTORS HAVE WON 9 STRAIGHT
Hey so I think I'm about ready to start talking about the blue jays again
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Hey so I think I'm about ready to start talking about the blue jays again
Reposted by Peter Keep
BREAKING: The New York Post has learned Dylan Cease to Blue Jays. $210M, 7 years
November 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
BREAKING: The New York Post has learned Dylan Cease to Blue Jays. $210M, 7 years
Me, thinking about Spring 2026 course prep
I have given myself tasks and I'm already regretting it
November 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Me, thinking about Spring 2026 course prep
It gets worse!
I promise I went into my forced interactions with this platform with an open heart, but wow I am excited to never have to use it again.
I promise I went into my forced interactions with this platform with an open heart, but wow I am excited to never have to use it again.
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It gets worse!
I promise I went into my forced interactions with this platform with an open heart, but wow I am excited to never have to use it again.
I promise I went into my forced interactions with this platform with an open heart, but wow I am excited to never have to use it again.
I logged into my account on a popular OER hosting platform for the first time in a while to do something and saw that my two support tickets (from June and then July) were still sitting in the queue. Both of them listed as "unassigned."
Probably not a good look for the usability of the system!
Probably not a good look for the usability of the system!
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I logged into my account on a popular OER hosting platform for the first time in a while to do something and saw that my two support tickets (from June and then July) were still sitting in the queue. Both of them listed as "unassigned."
Probably not a good look for the usability of the system!
Probably not a good look for the usability of the system!
Reposted by Peter Keep
Are autistic children a disappointing outcome for parents who were hoping to have a eugenically crafted child? The NYT investigates
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Are autistic children a disappointing outcome for parents who were hoping to have a eugenically crafted child? The NYT investigates
Ok I gotta wrap this project up, I'm losing it lol
Ok quick, is writing a "practice problem" that guides students through re-creating Euler's proof that the sum of reciprocal squares converges to π²/6 unhinged, yes or no?
#MathSky
#iTeachMath
#MathSky
#iTeachMath
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Ok I gotta wrap this project up, I'm losing it lol
Got very confused yesterday when my kid asked what the jets were for and I distractedly said "they're getting ready for the air and water show... wait." That's been my go-to response for so long I fell for the pump fake.
They're back today and very loud.
They're back today and very loud.
November 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Got very confused yesterday when my kid asked what the jets were for and I distractedly said "they're getting ready for the air and water show... wait." That's been my go-to response for so long I fell for the pump fake.
They're back today and very loud.
They're back today and very loud.
Reposted by Peter Keep
honestly i’m simply too full of self loathing to ever use AI, flattery and agreement are inherently suspect to me and put me on edge
November 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM
honestly i’m simply too full of self loathing to ever use AI, flattery and agreement are inherently suspect to me and put me on edge
Reposted by Peter Keep
Calling Brandon Ingram Notorious B.I.3. is the kind of unhinged I want when tuning into league pass.
November 22, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Calling Brandon Ingram Notorious B.I.3. is the kind of unhinged I want when tuning into league pass.
Reposted by Peter Keep
brandon ingram basically rudy gobert with a bag this season
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 AM
brandon ingram basically rudy gobert with a bag this season
Ok so the number of commits I've pushed today *might* be related to how much happier I am typing on this new keyboard.
My old keyboard finally bit the dust so I got to get my first clicky-clacky keyboard and so tonight I'm just typing a lot of shit for the clicky-clacks
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Ok so the number of commits I've pushed today *might* be related to how much happier I am typing on this new keyboard.
ooooh so copyediting just sucks then? got it
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
ooooh so copyediting just sucks then? got it
Oh wait I am in charge of organizing a "sharing session" for my special interest group at next year's AMATYC conference. I have a GREAT idea for what we can share!
VERY IMPORTANT IDEA: the next academic conference I attend should have a "tea exchange" where we all just bring a bunch of our favorite tea, try each others, and then everyone leaves with some new tea that they liked.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Oh wait I am in charge of organizing a "sharing session" for my special interest group at next year's AMATYC conference. I have a GREAT idea for what we can share!
VERY IMPORTANT IDEA: the next academic conference I attend should have a "tea exchange" where we all just bring a bunch of our favorite tea, try each others, and then everyone leaves with some new tea that they liked.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
VERY IMPORTANT IDEA: the next academic conference I attend should have a "tea exchange" where we all just bring a bunch of our favorite tea, try each others, and then everyone leaves with some new tea that they liked.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
This is unironically a 10/10 networking idea and I'm not too humble to admit it.
Keynote speaker at a big ed conference shit
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Keynote speaker at a big ed conference shit
Reposted by Peter Keep
Headlines That Look Like Shitposts
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Headlines That Look Like Shitposts
My old keyboard finally bit the dust so I got to get my first clicky-clacky keyboard and so tonight I'm just typing a lot of shit for the clicky-clacks
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 AM
My old keyboard finally bit the dust so I got to get my first clicky-clacky keyboard and so tonight I'm just typing a lot of shit for the clicky-clacks
A very annoying thing is when emails from colleagues at other colleges and professional orgs get flagged and put into quarantine, where I can only get them if an IT admin approves after I ask. But then my email is also flooded with daily junk from the college. Very good system, love it so much
November 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM
A very annoying thing is when emails from colleagues at other colleges and professional orgs get flagged and put into quarantine, where I can only get them if an IT admin approves after I ask. But then my email is also flooded with daily junk from the college. Very good system, love it so much
5 straight wins, gotta be time for a Darko Pizza Party right?
Raptors outscored the Sixers 12-6 over the last 4:59 tonight, held them to 2-for-7 shooting & 0-for-3 from three.
5 straight wins for the 2nd time in the last 4 seasons.
5 straight wins for the 2nd time in the last 4 seasons.
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 AM
5 straight wins, gotta be time for a Darko Pizza Party right?