Ivan Blank

Address for snail mail:
Ivan Blank
Kansas State University
Dept. of Mathematics
138 Cardwell Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-2602

Office: Cardwell Hall 27
Phone: (785) 532-0536  (A bad way to reach me.)
E-mail: blanki@ZZZmath.ksu.edu (A good way to reach me.)
(Take out the "ZZZ" which is just there to avoid email from robots.)

Office Hours: Always on First Day Handouts
Check individual course pages

TeachingResearchGeneral

Course Description

Topics in Applied Math - Spring 2010

Links to Course Pages

Elementary Differential Equations: Math 240

Elementary Numerical Analysis: Math 655

Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers: Math 320 C

Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers: Math 320 C. Old page.

Advanced ODEs: Math 540

Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics: Math 160 D

Complex Analysis: Math 630

Resources for Advanced Engineering Mathematics Students

Resources for Students

Vector Calc Notes (pdf version) Vector Calc Notes (ps version)
First Order ODE Notes (pdf version) First Order ODE Notes (ps version)
Second Order ODE Notes (pdf version) Second Order ODE Notes (ps version)
Curve Formulas (pdf version) Curve Formulas (ps version)

Some Old Cheat Sheets

Cheat Sheet (pdf version) Cheat Sheet (ps version)

Education

  Mathematically Correct is a "web site devoted to the concerns raised by parents and scientists about the invasion of our schools by the New-New Math and the need to restore basic skills to math education."
  H.O.L.D. or Honest Open Logical Debate on math reform is an organization which is also in favor of more traditional pedagogy in mathematics.
  If want a crash course in some of the history of the reform movements which have plagued Mathematics over the past century, then I would suggest A Brief History of American K-12 Mathematics Education in the 20th Century by David Klein. (It took me a couple of hours to read, but it is very well written and very well documented. It should be required reading for all parents and all educators!)
  A much faster read can be found in James Milgram's Testimony to the Senate. (Milgram is a professor of Mathematics at Stanford.)
 For a more general introduction to the decay within American education I would suggest reading Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good about Themselves but Can't Read, Write, or Add, by Charles J. Sykes.

Advisees

See my Research page for Advisee work