Potatoes and Math: One HU professor explains the connection

Dr. Matthew Wright, Huntington University, a Christian collegeHUNTINGTON, Ind. In response to student interest in faculty dissertation topics, Dr. Matthew Wright will present on how his mathematical research relates to potatoes.

In mathematics there are different ways to quantify the size or even the temperature of irregularly-shaped objects, such as potatoes. Wright's presentation will provide answers to the questions "What is the size of a potato?" or "What is the temperature of a potato?"

The presentation, titled "Math Research: Patterns, Potatoes, and Problem Solving," is part of the Gerald D. Smith Lecture Series in the Natural and Mathematical Sciences and will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in Hiner Hall of the Science Hall at Huntington University.

In his presentation, Wright will talk, in simple terms, about math research and how it is accomplished, while providing some recent examples.

"Many people think that mathematicians know all there is to know about math, but that is far from true. In fact, more new mathematics is being published now than at any time in history," Wright said.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Wright, assistant professor of mathematics, holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and computer science from Messiah College. Last year, he gave a presentation on the mathematics of juggling.