In this class, led by Mircea Pitici, we will explore, with abundant examples, the application of mathematics to other domains, including social inquiry, voting systems, finance, law, medicine, game theory, economics, environmental change, and more. What do people accomplish (or think they accomplish) when they apply mathematics to non-mathematical areas?

We will attempt to determine why some of these uses of mathematical models work and why others fail. Why, for example, did Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes succeed so beautifully in their use of principles of geometry, while the Long-Term Capital Management fund (run according to exact mathematical formulas and algorithms) collapsed in the middle of a global financial crisis? Through lectures, readings, and discussion, we will analyze some of the fallacious thinking about mathematics and perhaps become wiser consumers of information.

This program is part of Cornell’s Adult University (CAU), which offers education vacations designed and led by Cornell faculty. Programs include off-campus travel adventures and weeklong on-campus summer courses open to all, including Cornell alumni, families, and friends.

For more information and to register, visit cau.cornell.edu, e-mail cauinfo@cornell.edu, or call 607.255.6260.