Author Archives: Xander

About Xander

Xander completed his PhD in mathematics at UC Riverside in the Spring of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. His thesis, titled Fractal Zeta Functions in Metric Measure Spaces, explores some connections between the geometry of certain metric spaces, and the spectra of the Laplace operator on those spaces. He is currently an instructor at Northland Pioneer College, out in the beautiful deserts of northern Arizona.

MMM LXII

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I Was There

Yesterday, Venus passed between the Earth and sun. Over the course of several hours, a tiny black dot rode across the face of the sun. This is a very rare event—it has only been observed a handful of times in … Continue reading

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MMM LXI

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MMM LX

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The Mandelbrot Set—Part VIII: Buddhabrots

The Mandelbrot Set Series: In previous discussions of the Mandelbrot set and its cousins, we have focused on how it is defined. Specifically, each member of the family of Mandelbrot sets is a collection of points that behave nicely when … Continue reading

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Don’t Get Caught

Sometimes, teaching can be very frustrating. Earlier this semester, I gave an exam. Of the forty or so students who are currently enrolled in the class, barely half managed a passing score (a middling C for those that are interested). … Continue reading

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MMM LIX

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Keep It Simple, Stupid

I have a much younger sister who is currently taking calculus as a high school junior. Given that I have a little more mathematical training than anyone else in my family, she sometimes asks me for help with her homework. … Continue reading

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MMM LVIII

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Katja Sticking Out Her Tongue

Apropos of nothing in particular, a recent picture of my daughter. The ribbon of drool is the most charming feature, I think.

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