Tim Chartier
@timchartier.bsky.social
husband, father, friend, Joseph R. Morton Professor of Math & CS at @DavidsonCollege, sports analyst, professionally trained mime, puppeteer
Turns out math behaves better when everyone waits their turn.
PEMDAS isn’t about memorizing an order—it’s about avoiding chaos.
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
January 14, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Turns out math behaves better when everyone waits their turn.
I’ve also posted just the animation (no characters) as a classroom-ready clip—easy to pause and talk through why order matters. youtu.be/WcPEIub-Gas
PEMDAS animation (no puppet narration)
YouTube video by Math Figures
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
I’ve also posted just the animation (no characters) as a classroom-ready clip—easy to pause and talk through why order matters. youtu.be/WcPEIub-Gas
PEMDAS isn’t about memorizing an order—it’s about avoiding chaos.
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
January 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM
PEMDAS isn’t about memorizing an order—it’s about avoiding chaos.
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
Bob the Counting Sheep gets a visual explanation (with a little help) of why order matters in math.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation
Mathematics takes “almost” seriously.
What does it mean to get
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
January 10, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Mathematics takes “almost” seriously.
What does it mean to get
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
January 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
What does it mean to get
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
closer and
closer and
closer
to zero without arriving?
In mathematics, approaching can matter—even without arriving.
More sketches at Math Figures: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
#iTeachMath #MathEducation #MathArt
One of my favorite moments: When Clara saw the video of Zippy and jumped into showing him the correct reasoning. And THAT became the video!
Zippy thinks he’s good at math because he’s quick.
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
January 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
One of my favorite moments: When Clara saw the video of Zippy and jumped into showing him the correct reasoning. And THAT became the video!
I put just the Zippy clip on the channel as a classroom-ready resource—easy to pause and ask, “What went wrong here?” youtu.be/l74WoFSDodw
zippy math = good at math?
YouTube video by Math Figures
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I put just the Zippy clip on the channel as a classroom-ready resource—easy to pause and ask, “What went wrong here?” youtu.be/l74WoFSDodw
Zippy thinks he’s good at math because he’s quick.
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
January 5, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Zippy thinks he’s good at math because he’s quick.
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
A second grader shows him where he went wrong.
Speed isn’t understanding.
Thinking matters.
Videos appearing at: www.youtube.com/@mathfigures...
A small Sunday thought: a function keeps its promise.
Same input → same output.
Same input → same output.
What is a function… and what definitely is not? 🤔 Puppet Dr. C introduces a very pushable example: touch a button → get a predictable result.
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
January 4, 2026 at 11:58 PM
A small Sunday thought: a function keeps its promise.
Same input → same output.
Same input → same output.
What is a function… and what definitely is not? 🤔 Puppet Dr. C introduces a very pushable example: touch a button → get a predictable result.
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
January 2, 2026 at 8:21 PM
What is a function… and what definitely is not? 🤔 Puppet Dr. C introduces a very pushable example: touch a button → get a predictable result.
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
Math with puppets, clarity, and a little mischief.
▶️ More videos coming soon: youtu.be/yn3hPqJQBs8 #MathEducation #ITeachMath #TeachingWithJoy
Not to be mean….
The Lakers are due for a massive regression to the mean
The 2025-26 Los Angeles Lakers currently have best win percentage for a team with negative point differential NBA history. That could be a bad sign.
www.hoopshype.com
December 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Not to be mean….
Spaced out shape!
Astronaut Debuts a New Geometrical Shape That Can Only Be Achieved in Space
Want to sculpt this shape? You'll need to go to outer space for that.
mymodernmet.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Spaced out shape!
'Tis the season - not only for the holidays but right now for a > billion dollar Powerball drawing. What are the odds? Watch my clip on on ABC News Live. abcnews.go.com/US/video/pro...
Video Professor of mathematics and computer science sets us straight on lottery odds
ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with Davidson College professor Tim Chartier who says you're 20,000 times more likely to get hit by lightning than win Wednesday’s $1.7B Powerball jackpot.
abcnews.go.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM
'Tis the season - not only for the holidays but right now for a > billion dollar Powerball drawing. What are the odds? Watch my clip on on ABC News Live. abcnews.go.com/US/video/pro...
Reposted by Tim Chartier
Sometimes google is charming.
If you search for "times new roman" your results show up in Times New Roman font. Same with Calibri. Same with "Impact Font", and "Georgia font", and "Verdana font". (Maybe Helvetica too? I can't tell.)
(I learned about this via Daring Fireball)
If you search for "times new roman" your results show up in Times New Roman font. Same with Calibri. Same with "Impact Font", and "Georgia font", and "Verdana font". (Maybe Helvetica too? I can't tell.)
(I learned about this via Daring Fireball)
December 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Sometimes google is charming.
If you search for "times new roman" your results show up in Times New Roman font. Same with Calibri. Same with "Impact Font", and "Georgia font", and "Verdana font". (Maybe Helvetica too? I can't tell.)
(I learned about this via Daring Fireball)
If you search for "times new roman" your results show up in Times New Roman font. Same with Calibri. Same with "Impact Font", and "Georgia font", and "Verdana font". (Maybe Helvetica too? I can't tell.)
(I learned about this via Daring Fireball)
I'm in charge of the depart mental display. I have a few slides for "finals". I thought I'd share.
December 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I'm in charge of the depart mental display. I have a few slides for "finals". I thought I'd share.
I'm in charge of the depart mental display. I have a few slides for "finals". I thought I'd share. This one works for faculty too! 😀
December 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I'm in charge of the depart mental display. I have a few slides for "finals". I thought I'd share. This one works for faculty too! 😀
Reposted by Tim Chartier
Reposted by Tim Chartier
Fun with string art!
December 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Fun with string art!
Math's reset button for rotations....
Mathematicians Just Found a Hidden 'Reset Button' That Can Undo Any Rotation
A simple scaling trick can rewind even the most tangled motion back to its start.
www.zmescience.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Math's reset button for rotations....
Reposted by Tim Chartier
When I see a .1% chance of a comeback with under two minutes left in the game, I try to think of the type of circumstances that make up that .1% probability. Suggestions?
September 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
When I see a .1% chance of a comeback with under two minutes left in the game, I try to think of the type of circumstances that make up that .1% probability. Suggestions?
Simply stunning. A bee traversing a spiral? #photography
September 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Simply stunning. A bee traversing a spiral? #photography
Magical one point perspective. A fairy ring in the redwoods. #photography
September 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Magical one point perspective. A fairy ring in the redwoods. #photography