Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Callin’ out to all the Mudders in the audience. Ever take math class from Dr. Benjamin? I did. Sophomore year I think. Real Analysis maybe? It bent my brain sideways. Fun class. Got an A. I felt like I was starting to “get math” after that class.
He does this trick where he multiplies 5 digit numbers together in his head. He was a nationally ranked backgammon player in his spare time. #40 or so in the US at the time IIRC. It turns out that serious backgammon is all about estimating your fractional odds of winning at any given point and raising the bet when you think you’re ahead. So for him it was a “live probability lab.”
I was reminded of this when a friend was watching a video and sure enough it was one of my old math profs. So here’s the video of him showing off at Ted. You go! Thanks for the great math.
