What does mathematics have to do with voting? You can learn more during Math Awareness Month which the library is supporting in conjunction with the SBCC Mathematics Department. The 2008 theme for this national event is What Makes Your Vote Matter?: Let Mathematics and Statistics show you to "illustrates the power and elegance of the mathematical sciences in addressing a problem of fundamental societal importance." The mathematical societies and associations sponsoring this month are hoping to prompt students and faculty to ask themselves:
Did you know the method of conducting that sort of election can have a tremendous impact on the outcome? Stated differently, in the words of mathematician Don Saari, "An election outcome can more accurately reflect the choice of a voting system, rather than the voters' wishes."
Or what if you hadn't voted at all? Would that have changed the result of the election? What is the probability that your vote could be decisive? Statisticians ...have found ways to measure voter impact.
On the display of many excellent books on mathematics and the SBCC math department has loaned some interesting artifacts, such as the earliest calculators.
The library also has copies of Math Awareness Month puzzle challenges for students to complete in order to win some great prizes. You can also get a copy of the puzzles.
