Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Publisher:: —
ISSN:: 2159-8118
Category:: HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Impact factor:: 0.3

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Creating Art with the Generalized Pythagorean Theorem

2026-02-01

Ángel Colín

The Pythagorean Theorem and its generalizations have been widely studied. In this article we focus on one particular generalization that asserts that the area of a polygon with one side the hypotenuse of a right triangle is the sum of the areas of similar polygons whose corresponding sides are the other two sides [4]. Using this theorem together with interactive software or simply pencil and paper, we create some visually enticing artwork. This activity, we believe, can contribute positively to geometry teaching at all academic levels.

Poems for a Calculus Class (After Reading Midlife Calculus and At the Dimensional Border)

2026-02-01

Kevin Farey

This poetry folder is made up of two short trios. The first begins with “Methods,” a thirteen-line poem by Britt Kaufmann, and continues with two thirteen-line responses to it. The folder’s second half consists of three (non-thirteen-line) responses to a collection of thirteen-line-almost-sonnets by Philip Fried, who had in turn been inspired, during the pandemic, by Edwin Abbot’s Flatland . Both Kaufmann and Fried are authors of previous JHM poetry folders. Poems from Kaufmann’s book Midlife Calculus appeared in the January 2025 issue and poems from Fried’s series At the Dimensional Border appeared in the July 2024 issue. In addition, they are accomplished poets who have published widely. On a much smaller scale, my five poems here have appeared on worksheets assigned to my calculus students.

Partnering with Students to Create a Positive Image of Mathematics

2026-02-01

Manmohan Kaur

In a 1989 paper, Barbeau states, “Probably no area of human activity is as afflicted as mathematics with a gap between the public perception of its nature and what its practitioners believe it to be.” Decades later, the situation is much the same. With the technical advances in the contemporary world, mathematics affects our day-to-day activities in essential ways such as e-commerce and credit card security. Mathematical problem solving intrinsically requires creative and critical thinking. However, mathematics is often perceived as uninventive, sterile, static, and removed from human needs and culture. This paper describes how mathematicians can own the image of mathematics and partner with students to make it better. Given the right tools and approach, our students’ diverse backgrounds and skill sets allow them to engage with and promote an important aspect of mathematics in positive and interesting ways. We share student comments and feedback to show that this partnership leads to innovative work and a shift in student mindsets.

Logical Conclusion

2026-02-01

Robert Dawson

There is a well-known anecdote about Kurt Gödel, just before his citizenship hearing, telling Einstein that the Constitution was logically flawed. This alternate-history story explored the possible ramifications.