My latest hosted episode of Point of Inquiry went up over the weekend. It was an interview with Jennifer Ouellette, the author most recently of The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. As you can imagine, we had a hell of a lot of fun with this topic. Here's the show write up:
Ever wonder about the mathematical basis for battling a zombie infestation? Jennifer Ouellette has. In her new book The Calculus Diaries, the English major turned science journalist goes on an odyssey to relearn the branch of math that so intimidated her in high school.
Along the way, she finds calculus in activities ranging from surfing, to catching fly balls, to playing craps in Vegas.
Naturally, calculus can also tell us how to stop the marauding zombies before they take over the human population for good.
At a time when the U.S. lags in science and math education, a book like Ouellette's—making math intriguing and accessible—is more than a good read. It’s an educational necessity.
You can order The Calculus Diaries here
, and again, you can listen to the latest show episode here
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