My first journalistic assignment straight out of college was editing Martin’s Mathematical Games column in Scientific American. He kept a file on every number. Later, when I wrote a wacky math and brain teaser column under the pseudonym Dr. Crypton, he was generous. I’d call him up and ask him to tell me about a number, say 153. He’d look in his 153 file and report back: 153 is the smallest number that’s the sum of the cube of it’s digits. It’s the number of red shoes Imelda Marcos owned. Etc.
May 26, 2010 at 2:17 pm |
It’s always a shame to lose a great teacher.
I wonder, of the numerous books he wrote, do you have a suggestion for one to start reading?
Also, I totally love wikipedia! Check out the article on 153.
cheers
ryan