Welcome to ELI5’s first “Ask Me Anything!” We’re inviting expert educators to respond to your questions here on ELI5. Today the topic will be mathematics, brought to you by University of Oxford maths professor Tom Crawford (u/tomrocksmaths). Dr. Crawford has asked us to share [his video about exponential growth, and why it’s so important to take every step to slow the spread of COVID-19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUVERo2xpH4), and [another video about the SIR model for epidemics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKMHhm2Zbkw).
This thread is your opportunity to ask questions about mathematics and the teaching of mathematics. Please remember that we will still be enforcing the rules, especially Rule 1. In this case, Rule 3 is amended: top level comments are reserved for questions. We ask that you guys try to stay on topic for Dr. Crawford – keep in mind that although Dr. Crawford may be discussing how diseases spread, this is **not** a topic about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
And a big thanks to Dr. Crawford for helping us. Check out his YouTube channel, [Tom Rocks Maths](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRfo-DAifrP3lzcxUHtGm_A)!
In: Mathematics
Hi all! I’ll be here throughout the day answering any questions you have about maths – whether related to disease modelling or not – and I’ll try my very best to explain things as simply as possible. This should be fun!!
What is your opinion on the typically platonic way math is taught, i.e. “math exists in the ideal world, not in the real world”? As a scientist, are you opposed to this dualism?
Do you know of any websites like Mathigon? They’re really killing it!
What’s your favourite maths-based fun fact?
Hey Tom o/ I had the pleasure of working with you in Shanghai 2 years ago, it’s great to see your continued and well-deserved success!
I know you’re particularly keen on Navier-Stokes, so I won’t ask your favourite Millennium Prize Problem. Instead – which Millennium Prize Problem do you think will be solved next?
What role do you think proofs play in the teaching of mathematics? Do all things taught need to be rigorously proven, or will an intuitive understanding of a principle, which forgoes rigour, suffice? Alternatively, is there a necessary balance to be struck between explanations in terms of rigorous proofs and of intuitive understanding? If so, what do you think that balance is?
Really interested to hear your thoughts on this one.
Hey! I’ve recently obtained a place at Oxford to study maths & philosophy, what would you say the best prep would be that I could do in quarantine?
Fav mathematician?
How did you get to where you are today,Dr.Tom?
I’d like to ask for your description/explanation for Laplace Transformations please
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