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An inmate's love for math leads to new discoveries
Phys .Org ^ | 15 May 2020 | Marta Cerruti

Posted on 05/16/2020 6:28:23 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

Havens received a 25-year sentence in Washington in 2011 after being convicted for murder. He found his love and gift for mathematics while in solitary confinement a few months after his incarceration. His journey in mathematics and research led to him publishing a first-author paper in an academic mathematics journal in January 2020.

Initially, my father, Umberto Cerruti, a number theorist who was a professor of mathematics at the University of Torino, Italy, agreed to help Havens simply because we asked him. My father thought that Havens was likely one of the many cranks that fall in love with numbers and come up with a flawed theory. To test him, he gave Havens a problem to solve.

In return, my father received a 120-centimetre-long piece of paper in the mail, and on it was a long and complicated formula. My father entered the formula into his computer and to his surprise, the results were correct!

(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education
KEYWORDS: christopherhavens; dontaddup; italy; martacerruti; math; stringtheory; torino; umbertocerruti
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To: Carl Vehse

First, can someone please tell me how long is 120 centimeters?


21 posted on 05/16/2020 8:04:44 PM PDT by davius (You can roll manure in powdered sugar but that don't make it a jelly doughnut.)
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To: davius

Just under 4 feet


22 posted on 05/16/2020 8:08:19 PM PDT by freedomlover
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To: MplsSteve

“He shot a guy in the head over a meth deal.”

Hasn’t almost everyone?

It depends on who you know...

Abbott’s writing on his life and experiences was lauded by a number of high-profile literary critics, including author Norman Mailer. Due in part to lobbying by Mailer and others on Abbott’s behalf, Abbot was released from prison in 1981 where he was serving sentences for forgery, manslaughter and bank robbery. Abbott’s memoir In the Belly of the Beast was published to positive reviews shortly after his release. Six weeks after being paroled from prison, Abbott stabbed and killed a waiter in a New York City cafe. Abbott was convicted and sent back to prison, where he committed suicide in 2002.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Abbott_(author)


23 posted on 05/16/2020 8:16:33 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
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To: metmom
"If they want lower recidivism they need to do something about providing these inmates with an education or life skill that can actually be useful"

True. Incarceration is supposed to be about rehabilitation.

President Trump has put in programs to help.

24 posted on 05/16/2020 8:28:32 PM PDT by Pajamajan ( Pray for our nation. Thank the Lord for everything you have. Don't wait. Do it today.)
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To: davius

about 4 feet long


25 posted on 05/16/2020 8:40:50 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: CaptainK

He was sentenced to 25 years so that’s what a jury of his peer decided was his fate.


26 posted on 05/16/2020 9:00:49 PM PDT by newzjunkey (Vote Giant Meteor in 2020)
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To: CaptainK

Because it’s Washington state, also known as North San Fran Sicko.


27 posted on 05/16/2020 9:03:23 PM PDT by Valpal1
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To: metmom

“If they want lower recidivism they need to do something about providing these inmates with an education or life skill that can actually be useful.”

The problem is if you give inmates internet access, they usually skip math and run scams or gang leaders communicate with their gangs.


28 posted on 05/16/2020 10:25:12 PM PDT by ModelBreaker
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To: Carl Vehse

I can’t wait for Biden to comment on this!


29 posted on 05/16/2020 10:32:05 PM PDT by smvoice (I WILL NOT WEAR THEok RIBBON.)
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To: Jonty30; metmom

I pretty much agree with you Jonty. We can’t reform someone who does not want to be reformed. Inmates are offered all kinds of job training. For every one who reforms, a hundred others don’t. For the most part, it’s a losing proposition. Also, inmates don’t have internet access.


30 posted on 05/16/2020 10:50:32 PM PDT by Mark17 (Father of US Air Force Officer, who graduated from Air Force pilot training, on 1 May 2020)
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To: Jonty30

That is true.

The jail in which this person we know is used to allow food drop off, in boxes but friends and relatives.

One day the guards were inspecting the goods and found some sealed cans of Campbells soup that contained drugs. You can actually buy home canning equipment that will can metal cans, and so they must have done that, put the drugs in, and very carefully removed the labels from some soup casns and put them on the ones with the drugs.

Yes, a few bad apples can ruin it for everyone.

I wish there was an answer.


31 posted on 05/17/2020 12:21:31 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom

-I wish there was an answer.-

From your tag line it looks like you and I know the answer. However, it doesn’t always seem to take. My uncle, a LCMS pastor did a stint as institutional pastor in the mountains of central Colorado over 50 years ago. My brother & I were visiting to hike some of the 14,000 ft.s. One of the things he was allowed to do was to hold Bible classes. The thing that impressed him the most was the high percentage of those claiming to be “reformed” and released being back in a short time.


32 posted on 05/17/2020 3:12:58 AM PDT by Western Phil
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To: Western Phil

I have noticed that as well.

I have heard that many profess interest or conversion to get out on good behavior.

When the motivation is gone, they are back to their old ways.


33 posted on 05/17/2020 5:30:34 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: 6SJ7; AdmSmith; AFPhys; Arkinsaw; allmost; aristotleman; autumnraine; bajabaja; ...

· String Theory Ping List ·
Expendibility and Ensign Ricky
· Join · Bookmark · Topics · Google ·
· View or Post in 'blog · post a topic · subscribe ·


34 posted on 05/17/2020 11:47:48 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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