Laura Taalman facts for kids
Laura Anne Taalman, also known as mathgrrl, is an American mathematician. She is famous for her work on the mathematics of Sudoku puzzles. She also creates amazing mathematical models using 3D printing. Her research involves studying knot theory (the math of knots) and other complex math ideas. She teaches mathematics as a professor at James Madison University.
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Who is Laura Taalman?
Laura Taalman was born in the United States. She loved math from a young age. She went to the University of Chicago and earned her first degree in mathematics in 1994. Later, she continued her studies at Duke University. She earned her Ph.D. (a high-level degree) in 2000. After finishing her studies, she started teaching at James Madison University. She also worked at the National Museum of Mathematics for a year, helping people learn about math in fun ways.
Her Work with 3D Printing
Laura Taalman is a pioneer in using 3D printing for math. In 2013, she became the head of the 3D printing lab at James Madison University. She started an exciting project: printing one 3D model every single day! Her models include many cool math subjects. She has printed different types of knots, fractal shapes, and polyhedra (3D shapes with flat faces) that snap together. These models help people see and understand complex math ideas.
Books by Laura Taalman
Laura Taalman has written several books about mathematics. With Peter Kohn, she wrote a textbook called Calculus. She also wrote another textbook, Calculus I with Integrated Precalculus.
She co-wrote a very popular book called Taking Sudoku Seriously: The Mathematics Behind the World’s Most Popular Pencil Puzzle. She wrote this book with Jason Rosenhouse, who is also a math professor. This book explores the math behind the popular Sudoku puzzles. She has also created many Sudoku puzzle books with Philip Riley.
Awards and Recognitions
Laura Taalman has received several awards for her work.
- In 2003, she won the Trevor Evans Award. This award is from the Mathematical Association of America. She won it for her work with Eugénie Hunsicker on the math of modular design in architecture.
- In 2005, she received the Henry L. Alder Award. This award recognizes excellent teaching by new college math professors. It is also given by the Mathematical Association of America.
- Her book Taking Sudoku Seriously won an important award in 2012. It won the PROSE Awards in the popular science and popular mathematics category.
