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Undergraduate Activity Session: Art Benjamin
MAA Undergraduate Activity Session
Secrets of Mental Math
Art Benjamin
Harvey Mudd College
by Jean Bee Chan
Sonoma State University
Dr. Arthur Benjamin, professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, gave a performance at the MAA Under- graduate Student Activity from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2009 at the Portland MathFest. The large room was packed with enthusiastic students and visitors. Dr. Benjamin captivated the audience from beginning to end. Not only did he delight us with rapid mental calculations faster than calculators, he constructed a magic square with more than the usual magic. After Dr. Benjamin demonstrated rapid mental calculations, he taught us a few secrets of doing mental calculations. Then he entertained us by singing a mathematical song, "Bye, Bye, Mathematical Pi," and concluded with a fantastic mental calculation usually reserved for special audiences. The MAA students were grateful for the special presentation.
At the conclusion of Dr. Benjamin's talk, many rushed up to meet him personally and ask for souvenir pages written during his performance. Everyone had a great time!
