The Binary Tree of Life

Today is the birthday of Edna Kramer born 1902 Manhattan, New York, USA.  Kramer was a prolific writer of mathematics.  Her works include but are not limited to Mathematics Takes Wings (1942) which related aeronautics to many different topics in the high school mathematics curriculum and The Integration of Trigonometry with Physical Science (1948) which showed how trigonometry could be taught with applications to electricity, sound and light. As co-author of Experiences in Mathematical Discovery (1966), she developed special materials for the student of general mathematics. 

Kramer's parents believed strongly in the importance of education and her father served on the New York City Board of Education.

My father also served on the Plainview Board of Education without having earned a high school diploma.  His active involvement imprinted the importance of education into my belief system.

My wife's grandmother sold eggs to support private piano lessons for her daughter, Rita.  As a young girl, Rita walked once a week from their farm house to the town of Plainview...a walk of at least 3 miles.  Commitment and eggs infused the importance of music in this young girl's life.  The 10 children raised by Rita were not only taught the value of hard work but also importance of music.  My sons received a rich music education because of their mother.  My oldest married an orchestra teacher and I do not doubt that the music lessons will continue.

A student of mine showed me a diagram earlier this year that he had drawn illustrating a binary effect of taking or not taking a particular action.  The student's diagram was similar to the example at the right.

My student feels that a binary tree is formed every time we act or don't act on a decision.  That action or inaction ripples through the future.  He plays with the thought that perhaps a binary code exists for life and future events could be predicted with a given probability.  I think that this freshman has quite the future ahead of him.