Ages: 13+

Blaise Pascal said “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” We will explore the implications of this quote as far as mathematics is concerned. We’ll also examine, from a 100% secular perspective, the mathematics of Pascal’s famous wager, which uses game theory and probability to recommend the conscious decision to believe in God. During one session, we will welcome Guest Instructor Raissa Schickel. Raissa is an actuary – an applied mathematician who studies the financial consequences of risk. She will discuss her work, its connection to Pascal’s wager, and its application to the world of a teenager.