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

Posted on 2 July 2012 by Xander
Posted in MMM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MMM LXII

I Was There

Posted on 6 June 2012 by Xander

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 →

Posted in Science | Comments Off on I Was There

MMM LXI

Posted on 4 June 2012 by Xander
Posted in MMM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MMM LXI

MMM LX

Posted on 28 May 2012 by Xander
Posted in MMM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MMM LX

The Mandelbrot Set—Part VIII: Buddhabrots

Posted on 24 May 2012 by Xander

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 →

Posted in Fractals | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Mandelbrot Set—Part VIII: Buddhabrots

Don’t Get Caught

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Xander

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 →

Posted in Education | Tagged , | Comments Off on Don’t Get Caught

MMM LIX

Posted on 2 April 2012 by Xander
Posted in MMM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MMM LIX

Keep It Simple, Stupid

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Xander

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 →

Posted in Education | Tagged , | Comments Off on Keep It Simple, Stupid

MMM LVIII

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Xander
Posted in MMM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MMM LVIII

Katja Sticking Out Her Tongue

Posted on 22 March 2012 by Xander

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

Posted in Meta | Comments Off on Katja Sticking Out Her Tongue