The MAA posted this special challenge on Friday, 14 June 2024: “Calling all mathematicians! How can we effectively communicate complex ideas to the public and across different disciplines?” This was the beginning of my response:
“Teach multiplication and division, but tear the back covers off of all textbooks.”
Tell the beginners that there is no end to learning about multiplication-and-division by 2 (or any other number). For a little more, see https://81018.com/maa/ (this page) (Twitter-X page)
Tell them that the entire universe can be encapsulated by multiplying the very smallest numbers currently-studied — Planck natural units — by 2 over and over and over again (202 times) and that results in over 13.8 billion years (the age of the universe) and the current size of the universe. Yes, in just 202 doublings you have a mathematically-integrated map of the universe from the first moment in time.
To get this chart empowered and enlivened we have begun to challenge our museums, starting with San Francisco’s Exploratorium (known for the first celebration of Pi Day), the Boston Museum of Science (my childhood museum), and dozens more throughout the country and hundreds more throughout the world:
“Please help us bring this map of the universe alive!
It’s 100% mathematical and geometrical!”
For a lot more:
Map of the universe discussion: https://81018.com/STEM/
Started in high school, tested in 6th grade: https://81018.com/home/
Just the numbers (horizontally-scrolled): https://81018.com/chart/
Mathematicians: A working list of mathematicians whose work has been consulted.