Thu, Sep 17
|Rockville Science Center
Numberphiles Math Club
Math of The Square-Wheeled Bike: A Smooth Ride on a Bumpy Road With Jim Rudert, Ph.D.
Time & Location
Sep 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rockville Science Center, 130 Rollins Ave, Suite F-2, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
About the event
Can a bike with square wheels ride smoothly? The Exploratorium in San Francisco and The National Museum of Mathematics in New York City both have exhibits demonstrating that, given the appropriate road, this is indeed possible. We will show a scale model, explore the math involved and how it entails an unusual shape called a catenary. Some calculus will be helpful but not necessary.
Presenter Jim Rudert has a PhD in biomedical engineering and retired in 2020 from the University of Iowa's Orthopedic Biomechanics Research Lab.
The Rockville Numberphiles is a math club for mathematicians from middle school to adult. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Our interactive discussions and presentations help mathematicians explore the broad range of mostly advanced mathematics, its history, and problem solving. For more information, contact Howard at hjlichtman@lichtman.ws or 301.580.7190.