Math on Tap

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is now hosting Math on Tap! The event is meant to be appealing and accessible to a wide range of people. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends, significant others, neighbors!

Math on Tap takes place on the first Wednesday of every month at 6PM at Mother Road Brewery. Mother Road Brewery is a restaurant, so 21+ is NOT required. Please come join us!!

For those of you unfamiliar with “on Tap” events, Math on Tap is a variation of events that often go by the name “Science on Tap” or “STEM on Tap”. These events run at various cities around the country. In Flagstaff, we have Astronomy on Tap (sponsored by Lowell Observatory), Science on Tap, and Ales with the Arb (sponsored by The Arboretum at Flagstaff). And now Math on Tap!

The format will vary from event to event, but typically there will be a 30-minute talk aimed at a general audience followed by a short informal interview. During the event, people are welcome to eat and drink (this is encouraged!).

Schedule Fall 2025

Note that talks are listed in reverse chronological order.

The Friendship Paradox: Your friends, on average, have more friends than you do

Date: November 5, 2025

Speaker: Dana C. Ernst (NAU)

Abstract: The Friendship Paradox is the observation that your friends, on average, have more friends than you do. This phenomenon, which was first observed by the sociologist Scott L. Feld in 1991, is mathematically provable. In this episode of Math on Tap, we will discuss the “paradox” and explore some applications and generalizations.