Mathemagician wows Roanoke crowds

By Dr. Roland Minton
Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Art Benjamin, a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, was surrounded by well-wishers Thursday night, March 19, in the Wortmann Ballroom at Roanoke College. Most of the standing-room-only crowd that earlier had been amazed and entertained by Benjamin's "Mathemagics" show had reluctantly headed for home. But many remained and rushed the stage to ask questions, have pictures made or just to hear more about his special blend of mathematics and magic. Benjamin accommodated everyone with his characteristic upbeat energy and humor.

Benjamin is a nationally renowned mathematician and magician. As a mathematician, he has published numerous research articles, five books and is working on his second DVD course in mathematics for The Teaching Company. He has won national awards for his teaching and writing. As a magician, he appears regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and performs his "Mathemagics" show worldwide. He takes advantage of his unique set of skills to serve as a highly successful ambassador for mathematics.

He was brought to Roanoke College for the week of March 15-20 as a Copenhaver Scholar-in-Residence. The Copenhaver Scholar-in-Residence Program was established in 1989 by an endowment from Miss Margaret Sue Copenhaver of Richmond and Mrs. Gordon Hanes of Winston-Salem, N.C., in memory of their parents, Dr. Eldridge and Margaret Greever Copenhaver. The endowment funds residencies on the Roanoke College campus of eminent scholars and artists, whose special talents enrich the intellectual and cultural life of the College.

While on campus, Professor Benjamin taught five classes ranging from a first-year liberal arts mathematics course to the mathematics senior seminar. He also gave nine lectures that he was to tape in Chantilly, Virginia, on the following weekend for his DVD course and solicited feedback on possible changes. In between, he had numerous informal, often one-on-one sessions with both students and faculty who wanted to explore a topic further.

The showcase events of Professor Benjamin's visit were three public presentations. On Monday night, he discussed the mathematics of a dice game called "Knock Em Down." This simple-looking game produces several paradoxical results involving optimal strategies. On Wednesday night, Benjamin moved into a more intimate setting to hold a card-trick workshop. He demonstrated several card tricks, then showed the mathematics that makes each work. The lucky participants, ranging in age from middle-school students to grandparents, have been practicing these tricks ever since!

The buzz from these events helped generate an overflow crowd for Thursday night's "Mathemagics" show. This show featured several impressive feats of mental calculation, delivered at lightning speed with all of Benjamin's considerable charm and humor. He showed the audience how to quickly square two- and three-digit numbers, then squared four- and even a five-digit number in his head! He showed how to determine which day of the week a particular date (such as a birthday) occurred and created a special birthday magic square for one lucky audience member. He even sang a song, turning "American Pie" into a humorous ode to the digits of pi. In return, the audience serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" since Thursday night was his birthday.

To sum up the week, Benjamin brought Roanoke College an extended celebration of the beauty and joy of mathematics. Judging by the people gathered around him wanting more on Thursday night, he is America's best ambassador of mathematics.