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Tennenbaum's Spoon

Jake Mealey <mmealey@vols.utk.edu>, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Abstract:

Mathematician Stanley Tennenbaum demonstrated a geometric proof of the irrationality of the square root of 2 in the 1950s using a lesser known theorem called Carpets Theorem. Using a “spoon”, I plan to show Tennenbaum’s proof in an easy to understand light. However, to avoid steering away from the more mathematical aspects of such a proof, I will show the core algebra and math as well. Both of these points of view will be viewed from a geometric lens just as Stanley Tennenbaum did.

Scheduled for: 2026-03-28 10:00 AM: Math... With a Spoon! Session #1 in Computing and Math 355

Status: Accepted

Collection: Math... With a Spoon!

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