Christopher J. Sangwin

Senior Lecturer

School of Mathematics The University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom

Office: Watson 105 Phone: +44 (0)121 414 6197 Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3389 E-mail: c.j.sangwin@bham.ac.uk Skype: sangwinc

Research

My educational research currently focuses on using computer algebra systems for assessment of mathematics. A practical outcome of this is the STACK computer aided assessment system. My interest in mathematical notation resulted in a project student, Alex Billingsley, creating the DragMath project.

In 2006 I was awarded a University of Birmingham Teaching Fellowship and a National Teaching Fellowship.

Teaching

• MSM1C Vector Algebra, Elementary Mechanics

Software Projects

STACK STACK provides a question type for the Moodle quiz which is specifically designed to enable sophisticated computer-aided assessment in Mathematics and related disciplines, with emphasis on formative assessment.		DragMath DragMath is a free "drag and drop" equation editor, written in Java. The editor lets users build up mathematical expressions in a traditional two dimensional way, and then output the results in a correctly formed syntax.

Publications

	Computer Aided Assessment of Mathematics Chris Sangwin © Oxford University Press, 2013.
	Teaching Problem-solving in Undergraduate Mathematics Christopher Sangwin, Matthew Badger, Trevor Hawkes © National HE STEM Programme, University of Birmingham, 2012.			A Guide to Puzzle-Based Learning in Stem Subjects Matthew Badger, Christopher Sangwin, Esther Ventura-Medina and Colin Thomas © University of Birmingham, 2012.
	How Round is Your Circle? John Bryant and Chris Sangwin © Princeton University Press, 2008.			Mathematics for the International Student: Pre-Diploma SL and HL (MYP 5 Plus) Pamela Vollmar, et. al. © Haese and Harris Publications, 2008.
	Mathematics Galore! Chris Budd and Chris Sangwin © Oxford University Press, 3 May, 2001.			Elements of Algebra © Tarquin Publications, 2007

Some mathematical highlights

Euler's sum One of my favourite results in mathematics is the following: \[ 1 + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{9} + \cdots = \frac{\pi^2}{6}. \] Leonard Euler's wild and brave explanation is given here.	The game of Hex Hex is a connection strategy game for two players. It is simple to learn, great fun to play and has some deep mathematics behind it. Some hex resources.
Stacking up dominoes Apparently you can stack up dominoes in balance in the following way To see how click here (PDF).	Roller which are not round! Look at the picture below. It shows two `rollers' in the shape of a 50p with a book on top. What will happen to the vertical distance between the book and the table as you roll the book along?
Normal vibration modes of a circular membrane Imagine an elastic circular membrane fixed along its circular boundary but otherwise free to vibrate. There are a number of different normal vibration modes which are possible. Click here for more details.	The double pendulum A double pendulum consists of two rigid arms that are joined by a low friction bearing. Details are here.

Chris Sangwin's GeoGebra page with some geometry I find interesting.

Other fun things!

Have you seen

• Prof. E. McSquared's calculus primer?
• Tom Lehrer
• Foolproof: A Sampling of Mathematical Folk Humor
• Microcosmographia Academica Being a Guide for the Young Academic Politician, by F. M. Cornford