Starting fifty years ago, Monty Hall unwittingly turned the math world on its ear — students and professors alike — with a seemingly simple stunt on his game show, Let's Make a Deal. In the midst of a trademark giveaway, he'd show contestants that one of the doors hiding prizes was a dud, and then give them the chance to switch from their current choice to the remaining unopened door. Since then, the debate has raged over whether it's valuable to take Monty's deal. Professor and card sharp Jason Rosenhouse will help participants sort out the math and myth of whether to switch, and then give us the tools to tackle other fascinating and perplexing situations of choice in the face of incomplete knowledge. 

If you would like to register for the 7 pm session instead, click here. 

Math Encounters is a public presentation series celebrating the spectacular world of mathematics and presented by the Simons Foundation and the National Museum of Mathematics.

For further information, call the National Museum of Mathematics at (212) 542-0566 or e-mail mathencounters@momath.org.

Please note, this presentation is designed to be accessible and engaging to a general audience. As a rule of thumb, it would be best enjoyed by participants age 12 and up.

Please check our online shop for books by Math Encounters presenters.