“Pure mathematics is the world’s best game. It is more absorbing than chess, more of a gamble than poker, and lasts longer than Monopoly. It’s free. It can be played anywhere — Archimedes did it in a bathtub.”
Richard J. Trudeau, mathematician
Welcome to the captivating realm of numbers, patterns, and logic! Within the halls of the RI Mathematics Club, we will embark on a journey that eclipses the mere manipulations of equations and integrals. Here, mathematics is not just an everyday subject to mug for: it is the key to unravelling the mysteries of the universe.
What We Do during Sessions
We have weekly sessions from 4.30-6.15pm on Tuesdays, where we delve into many fascinating topics of Mathematics, led by the passionate EXCO and sometimes members themselves, who wish to share their favourite pieces of maths ideas. We explore problems, thought-provoking puzzles, as well as physical embodiments of the discipline, like origami, in order to further our understanding and develop our passion in Mathematics.
Source: Puzzle Square JP; author: K.N.Y. (@KNY_nikolist)
url: https://puzsq.logicpuzzle.app/puzzle/112560
On the topic of interesting bits of mathematics, here is a thought: It is proven that no cube can be expressed as a sum of two cubes, some may recognise this as Fermat’s Last Theorem. But is it possible for a number to be expressed as a sum of two cubes, in two different ways?
Apart from maths problems, we also have a long tradition of hands-on origami sessions here at Math Club. Given that Mathematics is a study of symmetries and regularities, which origami embodies perfectly, a hands-on experience would really help to deepen our understanding in the discipline.
Why Math Club?
Do you want to find a community of like-minded people who are equally passionate and interested about mathematics? Do you want to learn from experienced seniors and compete with fellow friends to solve problems and puzzles? Fret not, for RI mathematics club is the perfect place for you!
Every week, one gets to enrich their journey in mathematics by solving problems and puzzles in a conducive environment where seniors will be present to give essential insights and hints to stimulate one’s creativity and imagination. Members can eagerly anticipate olympiad problems, puzzles, games and even the traditional Annual Math Club Camp hosted during the March Holidays!
The skills and knowledge you can learn in Math Club not only improves your problem solving skills in school, but you can also apply it in important and prestigious maths competitions including but not limited to the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad and the American Mathematics Competition. The trainers and seniors will try their best to equip you with the necessary skill set to ace your school exams and do RI proud in olympiad competitions!
Final Thoughts
In 1918, Indian mathematician S. Ramanujan was admitted to a hospital in London, where he was visited by his long-time friend, G H Hardy. The fellow colleague had arrived by taxi, which was numbered ‘1729’. He had thought about the number on the way, and remarked to Ramanujan, “it was rather a dull number”, and added that he hoped it was not a bad omen; to which Ramanujan replied “No Hardy! It is a very interesting number! It is the smallest number that can be expressed as a sum of two cubes in two different ways.”
To a genius like Ramanujan, nothing about Mathematics is uninteresting, not even the most ordinary-looking numbers we are all used to seeing every single day. Perhaps this is the level of insight only the greatest mathematicians would gain. But to any one of us, driven by passion and love for mathematics, we can still enjoy the many fascinating bits of maths we find, as well as the memories we make together in Math Club, regardless of our abilities and achievements—it is the journey that counts. And this journey would surely be enjoyable, accompanied by amazing like-minded people.
So, what are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate to join us in our journey to explore the universe of mathematics! There are absolutely NO prerequisites to join Maths Club: we open our arms to anyone regardless of their prior backgrounds. We only ask for you to come with an open mind, a passionate learning mindset and most importantly, a burning fervour for mathematics!
