Proposals
Below are some proposals for talks from the past (and current). By clicking on the ID number, more details are shown. By default, these are sorted chronologically (recent first) and by then by last name. The data can be sorted by alternate means by using the links at the top right, each allowing ascending or descending orders.
Displaying 401-420 of 471 results.
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ID:
144
Year: 2006
Name: Dave L. Renfro
Institution: ACT Inc.
Subject area(s): transcendental equations
Title of Talk: The Remarkable Equation tan(x) = x
Abstract: Although tan(x) = x is virtually the prototypical example for solving an equation by graphical methods, and this equation frequently appears in calculus texts as an example of Newton's method, there seems to be nothing in the literature that surveys what is known about its solutions. In this talk I will look at some appearances of this equation in elementary calculus, some appearances of this equation in more advanced areas (quantum mechanics, heat conduction, etc.), the fact that this equation has no nonreal solutions and that all of its nonzero solutions are transcendental, and some curious infinite sums involving its solutions. In addition, I will discuss some of the history behind this equation, including contributions by Euler (1748), Fourier (1807), Cauchy (1827), and Rayleigh (1874, 1877).
Year: 2006
Name: Dave L. Renfro
Institution: ACT Inc.
Subject area(s): transcendental equations
Title of Talk: The Remarkable Equation tan(x) = x
Abstract: Although tan(x) = x is virtually the prototypical example for solving an equation by graphical methods, and this equation frequently appears in calculus texts as an example of Newton's method, there seems to be nothing in the literature that surveys what is known about its solutions. In this talk I will look at some appearances of this equation in elementary calculus, some appearances of this equation in more advanced areas (quantum mechanics, heat conduction, etc.), the fact that this equation has no nonreal solutions and that all of its nonzero solutions are transcendental, and some curious infinite sums involving its solutions. In addition, I will discuss some of the history behind this equation, including contributions by Euler (1748), Fourier (1807), Cauchy (1827), and Rayleigh (1874, 1877).
ID:
143
Year: 2006
Name: Mark Mills
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Using NASCAR to Illustrate Optimization
Abstract: Over the past several years, the authors have taken part in a Fantasy NASCAR league. For each race, we were required to
Year: 2006
Name: Mark Mills
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Using NASCAR to Illustrate Optimization
Abstract: Over the past several years, the authors have taken part in a Fantasy NASCAR league. For each race, we were required to
ID:
138
Year: 2005
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Encouraging Undergraduate Mathematics Majors
Abstract: This year we have three opportunities for our undergraduate majors, but they are on three consecutive weekends in April. Almost all departments have some sort of math club, but we don
Year: 2005
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Encouraging Undergraduate Mathematics Majors
Abstract: This year we have three opportunities for our undergraduate majors, but they are on three consecutive weekends in April. Almost all departments have some sort of math club, but we don
ID:
137
Year: 2005
Name: Christian Roettger
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Number Theory
Title of Talk: Prime divisors of Mersenne numbers and Dirichlet series
Abstract: Mersenne numbers are the numbers 1, 3, 7, 15, ... 2^n - 1, ... It is a long-standing conjecture that this sequence contains infinitely many primes. We show how to get some asymptotic results on the 'average' prime divisor of Mersenne numbers using Dirichlet series. These series are useful for asymptotic counting, because there is a close link between their domain of convergence and the growth of their coefficients. Do not expect a big breakthrough, but a pretty result, few technicalities, and some exciting open questions.
Year: 2005
Name: Christian Roettger
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Number Theory
Title of Talk: Prime divisors of Mersenne numbers and Dirichlet series
Abstract: Mersenne numbers are the numbers 1, 3, 7, 15, ... 2^n - 1, ... It is a long-standing conjecture that this sequence contains infinitely many primes. We show how to get some asymptotic results on the 'average' prime divisor of Mersenne numbers using Dirichlet series. These series are useful for asymptotic counting, because there is a close link between their domain of convergence and the growth of their coefficients. Do not expect a big breakthrough, but a pretty result, few technicalities, and some exciting open questions.
ID:
136
Year: 2005
Name: David Bressoud
Institution: Macalester College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Curriculum
Title of Talk: Undergraduate Programs and Courses in the Mathematical Sciences: CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004
Abstract: The MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is charged with making recommendations to guide mathematics departments in designing curricula for their undergraduate students. The CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004, published last Fall provides an up-to-date perspective on the mathematics curriculum for many different student audiences, including of course our own majors. This session will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session with committee member David Bressoud from Macalester College. Free copies of the Guide and Curriculum Foundations Project will be available for those who come to the session.
Year: 2005
Name: David Bressoud
Institution: Macalester College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Curriculum
Title of Talk: Undergraduate Programs and Courses in the Mathematical Sciences: CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004
Abstract: The MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is charged with making recommendations to guide mathematics departments in designing curricula for their undergraduate students. The CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004, published last Fall provides an up-to-date perspective on the mathematics curriculum for many different student audiences, including of course our own majors. This session will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session with committee member David Bressoud from Macalester College. Free copies of the Guide and Curriculum Foundations Project will be available for those who come to the session.
ID:
135
Year: 2005
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s): Non-Major Mathematics Courses
Title of Talk: Mathematics and Civic Engagement
Abstract: Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER) is a comprehensive national dissemination project funded by the National Science Foundation. This presentation will be an introduction to SENCER followed by some discussion issues specific to mathematics. The goal of SENCER is to engage student interest in the sciences and mathematics by supporting the development of undergraduate courses and academic programs that teach
Year: 2005
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s): Non-Major Mathematics Courses
Title of Talk: Mathematics and Civic Engagement
Abstract: Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER) is a comprehensive national dissemination project funded by the National Science Foundation. This presentation will be an introduction to SENCER followed by some discussion issues specific to mathematics. The goal of SENCER is to engage student interest in the sciences and mathematics by supporting the development of undergraduate courses and academic programs that teach
ID:
134
Year: 2005
Name: Calvin Van Niewaal
Institution: Coe College
Subject area(s): roundtable
Title of Talk: MAA Strategic Planning
Abstract: One of the issues that has been targeted for the first round of the MAA
Year: 2005
Name: Calvin Van Niewaal
Institution: Coe College
Subject area(s): roundtable
Title of Talk: MAA Strategic Planning
Abstract: One of the issues that has been targeted for the first round of the MAA
ID:
133
Year: 2005
Name: Phil Wood
Institution:
Subject area(s): Calculus
Title of Talk: Simple Teaching of Differential Calculus
Abstract: Calculus may be taught more understandably by first describing its practical uses and then presenting it as simple algebra and geometry. In doing this all mention of infinitesimals, increments, theory of limits and formal proofs has been eliminated.
Year: 2005
Name: Phil Wood
Institution:
Subject area(s): Calculus
Title of Talk: Simple Teaching of Differential Calculus
Abstract: Calculus may be taught more understandably by first describing its practical uses and then presenting it as simple algebra and geometry. In doing this all mention of infinitesimals, increments, theory of limits and formal proofs has been eliminated.
ID:
132
Year: 2005
Name: Al Hibbard
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: A tour of the new website for the IA section of the MAA
Abstract: This will be an overview of some of the new features that are available for members of the IA section of the MAA including looking at accessing the section database. Part of the talk will be particularly relevant for officers and liaisons.
Year: 2005
Name: Al Hibbard
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: A tour of the new website for the IA section of the MAA
Abstract: This will be an overview of some of the new features that are available for members of the IA section of the MAA including looking at accessing the section database. Part of the talk will be particularly relevant for officers and liaisons.
ID:
131
Year: 2005
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig and basic calculus
Title of Talk: Retinal disparity via computer
Abstract: The horizontal separation of our eyes causes the image each eye receives to fall on a slightly different portion of the retina. This difference is called "retinal disparity" and has been studied extensively for its relation to depth perception. (This kind of depth perception is called stereopsis. Helmholtz' book in 1910 is an old "standard" reference to this) Recently a psychologist friend mentioned that he was studying how retinal disparity changes as a driver views two objects off to the side of the road. He also mentioned that most of his colleagues are "math-o-phobic" and used rather coarse approximations to retinal disparity. I wrote a Mathematica animation to show the motion of the eyes of a driver and compute the time derivative of retinal disparity. We corresponded sending graphs via email until I had a start at what interests the scientists. The math is simple vector geometry with some arc tangents, but it is a little messy, so I didn't immediately look at the formulas. When I did, I had a surprise. And I believe the surprise means we could train better users of mathematics if we worked towards better integration of modern computing in basic math. We hope to build a web-Mathematica site for psychologists to use for their computations.
Year: 2005
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig and basic calculus
Title of Talk: Retinal disparity via computer
Abstract: The horizontal separation of our eyes causes the image each eye receives to fall on a slightly different portion of the retina. This difference is called "retinal disparity" and has been studied extensively for its relation to depth perception. (This kind of depth perception is called stereopsis. Helmholtz' book in 1910 is an old "standard" reference to this) Recently a psychologist friend mentioned that he was studying how retinal disparity changes as a driver views two objects off to the side of the road. He also mentioned that most of his colleagues are "math-o-phobic" and used rather coarse approximations to retinal disparity. I wrote a Mathematica animation to show the motion of the eyes of a driver and compute the time derivative of retinal disparity. We corresponded sending graphs via email until I had a start at what interests the scientists. The math is simple vector geometry with some arc tangents, but it is a little messy, so I didn't immediately look at the formulas. When I did, I had a surprise. And I believe the surprise means we could train better users of mathematics if we worked towards better integration of modern computing in basic math. We hope to build a web-Mathematica site for psychologists to use for their computations.
ID:
130
Year: 2005
Name: Bernadette Baker
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): College Algebra
Title of Talk: A Unified Representation of Function
Abstract: The researchers have built a theoretical model of student development of function using the APOS paradigm. Students have difficulty with this concept because of the inability to recognize the common feature of the traditional function representations (analytic, graphical and tabular). By providing techniques for standard operations that focus attention on the defining feature of function (the association of input with output), the researchers hope to rectify this problem in student learning. This representation will be explained; one researcher has piloted this approach successfully and initial results will be reported.
Year: 2005
Name: Bernadette Baker
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): College Algebra
Title of Talk: A Unified Representation of Function
Abstract: The researchers have built a theoretical model of student development of function using the APOS paradigm. Students have difficulty with this concept because of the inability to recognize the common feature of the traditional function representations (analytic, graphical and tabular). By providing techniques for standard operations that focus attention on the defining feature of function (the association of input with output), the researchers hope to rectify this problem in student learning. This representation will be explained; one researcher has piloted this approach successfully and initial results will be reported.
ID:
129
Year: 2005
Name: Cindee Calton
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Ethnomathematics
Title of Talk: Axioms of Kinship
Abstract: Throughout the world, there are many different ways of defining our relationships with our family members. Who we choose to group together with the same kinship term reveals much about how we view those relatives. Throughout the world, there are only 6 basic ways of grouping relatives, despite the many possible ways of doing so. This talk explores how to think about human kinship axiomatically and discover why only certain patterns appear, using both mathematical and anthropological thinking. Interesting case studies of elaborate patterns of marriage are also explored briefly at the end of the talk.
Year: 2005
Name: Cindee Calton
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Ethnomathematics
Title of Talk: Axioms of Kinship
Abstract: Throughout the world, there are many different ways of defining our relationships with our family members. Who we choose to group together with the same kinship term reveals much about how we view those relatives. Throughout the world, there are only 6 basic ways of grouping relatives, despite the many possible ways of doing so. This talk explores how to think about human kinship axiomatically and discover why only certain patterns appear, using both mathematical and anthropological thinking. Interesting case studies of elaborate patterns of marriage are also explored briefly at the end of the talk.
ID:
128
Year: 2005
Name: Ronald Smith
Institution: Graceland University
Subject area(s): Voting
Title of Talk: The Mathematics of Common Consent
Abstract: Many religious traditions, including my own, value
Year: 2005
Name: Ronald Smith
Institution: Graceland University
Subject area(s): Voting
Title of Talk: The Mathematics of Common Consent
Abstract: Many religious traditions, including my own, value
ID:
127
Year: 2005
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Evolution of Cooperation
Abstract: This talk will present some of the basic concepts of Evolutionary Game Theory as we discuss models related to the evolution of cooperation. This talk should be of special interest to students or faculty interested in undergraduate research in mathematics. Included will be a preview of a few of the student presentations related to the topic that will be presented at the second annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium held at Simpson College April 9th.
Year: 2005
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Evolution of Cooperation
Abstract: This talk will present some of the basic concepts of Evolutionary Game Theory as we discuss models related to the evolution of cooperation. This talk should be of special interest to students or faculty interested in undergraduate research in mathematics. Included will be a preview of a few of the student presentations related to the topic that will be presented at the second annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium held at Simpson College April 9th.
ID:
126
Year: 2005
Name: Dan Alexander
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: The History of Complex Dynamics, Part II
Abstract: Part I was given to the Iowa section in 1994 and focused on the 1918 papers of Pierre Fatou and Gaston Julia on which the contemporary study of complex dynamics is based. In part II I will talk about both prior and subsequent developments in an attempt to put these 1918 papers in a more complete historical context. In particular, I will discuss some "new" influences on their works that I have recently been made aware of as well as discuss contemporaneous (that is, immediately following World War I) studies of complex dynamics around the world. I will also gladly review the works of Fatou and Julia for those who were not present for (or can't quite recall) Part I. This talk is based on collaborative research by Felice Iavernaro, Alessandro Rosa, and me.
Year: 2005
Name: Dan Alexander
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: The History of Complex Dynamics, Part II
Abstract: Part I was given to the Iowa section in 1994 and focused on the 1918 papers of Pierre Fatou and Gaston Julia on which the contemporary study of complex dynamics is based. In part II I will talk about both prior and subsequent developments in an attempt to put these 1918 papers in a more complete historical context. In particular, I will discuss some "new" influences on their works that I have recently been made aware of as well as discuss contemporaneous (that is, immediately following World War I) studies of complex dynamics around the world. I will also gladly review the works of Fatou and Julia for those who were not present for (or can't quite recall) Part I. This talk is based on collaborative research by Felice Iavernaro, Alessandro Rosa, and me.
ID:
125
Year: 2005
Name: Michael Rieck
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): special functions
Title of Talk: A Multiple Integral of a Piecewise Algebraic Function.
Abstract: Fix r>0. Let (x_0, y_0) and (x_n, y_n) be fixed and a distance r apart. Consider the set of all points ( x_1, y_1, x_2, y_2,..., x_{n-1}, y_{n-1} ) in Euclidean (2n-2)-space for which the distance in the plane between (x_{j-1}, y_{j-1}) and (x_j, y_j) never exceeds one (j=1,...,n). The hyper-volume of this set of points in (2n-2)-space can clearly be expressed as a multiple integral, integrating over 2n-2 dimensions, a function that is 1 on the set, but 0 off of the set. Surprisingly, it can also be expressed as a multiple integral over n-1 dimensions, of a piece-wise algebraic function.
Year: 2005
Name: Michael Rieck
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): special functions
Title of Talk: A Multiple Integral of a Piecewise Algebraic Function.
Abstract: Fix r>0. Let (x_0, y_0) and (x_n, y_n) be fixed and a distance r apart. Consider the set of all points ( x_1, y_1, x_2, y_2,..., x_{n-1}, y_{n-1} ) in Euclidean (2n-2)-space for which the distance in the plane between (x_{j-1}, y_{j-1}) and (x_j, y_j) never exceeds one (j=1,...,n). The hyper-volume of this set of points in (2n-2)-space can clearly be expressed as a multiple integral, integrating over 2n-2 dimensions, a function that is 1 on the set, but 0 off of the set. Surprisingly, it can also be expressed as a multiple integral over n-1 dimensions, of a piece-wise algebraic function.
ID:
124
Year: 2005
Name: Erika Hartung
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Prince Rupert's Rectangles
Abstract: How would you like to win a bet? Could your skills in mathematics help you? Over 300 years ago this was the case for Prince Rupert. He won a wager that given two equal cubes, a hole can be cut in one that is large enough to pass the second through it. Since Prince Rupert
Year: 2005
Name: Erika Hartung
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Prince Rupert's Rectangles
Abstract: How would you like to win a bet? Could your skills in mathematics help you? Over 300 years ago this was the case for Prince Rupert. He won a wager that given two equal cubes, a hole can be cut in one that is large enough to pass the second through it. Since Prince Rupert
ID:
123
Year: 2005
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Escher's World and Green Jello World - A Concrete Introduction to Hyperbolic Geometry
Abstract: Understanding theorems in non-Euclidean Geometry can be challenging to people who live in a Euclidean World. Since we do live on a sphere, Elliptic geometry makes some sense, but Hyperbolic geometry completely defies all our intuition. I will present two concrete examples of Poincare's models, which in class I refer to as "Escher's World" and the "Green Jello World". Thinking about what the inhabitants of these worlds might consider to be a straight line and other geometric concepts lets students accept the fact that Hyperbolic geometry is in fact just as natural as Euclidean Geometry.
Year: 2005
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Escher's World and Green Jello World - A Concrete Introduction to Hyperbolic Geometry
Abstract: Understanding theorems in non-Euclidean Geometry can be challenging to people who live in a Euclidean World. Since we do live on a sphere, Elliptic geometry makes some sense, but Hyperbolic geometry completely defies all our intuition. I will present two concrete examples of Poincare's models, which in class I refer to as "Escher's World" and the "Green Jello World". Thinking about what the inhabitants of these worlds might consider to be a straight line and other geometric concepts lets students accept the fact that Hyperbolic geometry is in fact just as natural as Euclidean Geometry.
ID:
122
Year: 2005
Name: Monica Meissen
Institution: Clarke College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Factoring Trinomials with Less Struggling and More Success!
Abstract: This talk will publicize a surprisingly underutilized technique of factoring trinomials which is based on
Year: 2005
Name: Monica Meissen
Institution: Clarke College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Factoring Trinomials with Less Struggling and More Success!
Abstract: This talk will publicize a surprisingly underutilized technique of factoring trinomials which is based on
ID:
121
Year: 2005
Name: A.M. Fink
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): elementary analysis
Title of Talk: The Strange Case of Shapiro's Inequality
Abstract: An old Monthly problem aroused the interest of 2 people with F.R. S. behind their name, spawned a Princeton thesis, but remains partly unsolved today. It is an interesting story about the culture of the mathematical community.
Year: 2005
Name: A.M. Fink
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): elementary analysis
Title of Talk: The Strange Case of Shapiro's Inequality
Abstract: An old Monthly problem aroused the interest of 2 people with F.R. S. behind their name, spawned a Princeton thesis, but remains partly unsolved today. It is an interesting story about the culture of the mathematical community.