ESP Biography



MERRICK CAI, ESP Teacher




Major: Math

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2023

Picture of Merrick Cai

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Not Available.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

M14274: Fractions Continued in Splash 2020 (Nov. 14 - 15, 2020)
Do the inherent limitations of classical fractions keep you up at night? Do you wring your hands in frustration at the blandness that is the denominator? If you answered yes to both of these, one of these, or even neither of these, you'll be glad to know that continued fractions have you covered. In this class, we'll explore some surprising results about continued fractions and learn about their application to rounding, approximation, tax fraud, and even Pell's equation. As a bonus, check out the cool example below! $$ \pi=3+\frac{1^2}{6+ \frac{3^2}{6+ \frac{5^2}{6+\dots }}} $$


X13423: Statistical Street Fighting in Splash 2019 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2019)
Thousands of years ago, we used to beat each other up with rocks and clubs and fists. Now we beat each other up with numbers and statistics. This class is about defending yourself against getting beaten up. (No humans were or will be physically harmed in the teaching of this class.)