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 61-80 of 471 results.
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ID:
539
Year: 2019
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Report from the MAA Congress
Abstract: I will share information from the MAA congress meeting at the most recent MathFest.
Year: 2019
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Report from the MAA Congress
Abstract: I will share information from the MAA congress meeting at the most recent MathFest.
ID:
304
Year: 2011
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Beginning a history of the Iowa Section of the MAA
Abstract: An interactive session focused on sources for the history of the Iowa Section of the MAA as part of its Centennial celebration in 2015.
Year: 2011
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Beginning a history of the Iowa Section of the MAA
Abstract: An interactive session focused on sources for the history of the Iowa Section of the MAA as part of its Centennial celebration in 2015.
ID:
49
Year: 2004
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics, number theory
Title of Talk: How did Leonardo Pisano find three rational squares that differ by 5?
Abstract: This problem, which has often seemed intractable to students in a history of mathematics class, can in fact be approached in an understandable fashion, following Leonardo's own development in the Liber Quadratorum.
Year: 2004
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics, number theory
Title of Talk: How did Leonardo Pisano find three rational squares that differ by 5?
Abstract: This problem, which has often seemed intractable to students in a history of mathematics class, can in fact be approached in an understandable fashion, following Leonardo's own development in the Liber Quadratorum.
ID:
54
Year: 2004
Name: David Gisch
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history, Geometry
Title of Talk: Apollonius
Abstract: In Tangencies, Apollonius of Perga shows how to construct a circle that is tangent to three given circles. More generally, Apollonius' problem asks to construct the circle which is tangent to any three objects, which may be any combination of points, lines, and circles. The case when all three objects are circles is the most complicated case since up to eight solution circles are possible depending on the arrangement of the given circles. Within the last two centuries solutions have been given by J. D. Gergonne in 1816, Frederick Soddy in 1936, and most recently David Eppstein in 2001. We illustrate the solutions using the geometry software Cinderella
Year: 2004
Name: David Gisch
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history, Geometry
Title of Talk: Apollonius
Abstract: In Tangencies, Apollonius of Perga shows how to construct a circle that is tangent to three given circles. More generally, Apollonius' problem asks to construct the circle which is tangent to any three objects, which may be any combination of points, lines, and circles. The case when all three objects are circles is the most complicated case since up to eight solution circles are possible depending on the arrangement of the given circles. Within the last two centuries solutions have been given by J. D. Gergonne in 1816, Frederick Soddy in 1936, and most recently David Eppstein in 2001. We illustrate the solutions using the geometry software Cinderella
ID:
312
Year: 2011
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): geometry/analysis
Title of Talk: Harmonic Maps and Discrete Groups
Abstract: We explain a framework for how a new theorem about harmonic maps can be used to advance the rigidity theory of some discrete groups of matrices.
Year: 2011
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): geometry/analysis
Title of Talk: Harmonic Maps and Discrete Groups
Abstract: We explain a framework for how a new theorem about harmonic maps can be used to advance the rigidity theory of some discrete groups of matrices.
ID:
314
Year: 2011
Name: Bill Wood
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): calculus
Title of Talk: Squigonometry: Developing non-euclidean trigonometry with elementary calculus
Abstract: Differential equations offers one approach to defining the classical trigonometric functions sine and cosine that parameterize the unit circle. We adapt this approach to develop analogous functions that parameterize the unit "squircle" defined by $x^4+y^4=1$. As we develop our new theory of "squigonometry" using only elementary calculus, we will catch glimpses of some very interesting and deep ideas in elliptic integrals, non-euclidean geometry, number theory, and complex analysis.
Year: 2011
Name: Bill Wood
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): calculus
Title of Talk: Squigonometry: Developing non-euclidean trigonometry with elementary calculus
Abstract: Differential equations offers one approach to defining the classical trigonometric functions sine and cosine that parameterize the unit circle. We adapt this approach to develop analogous functions that parameterize the unit "squircle" defined by $x^4+y^4=1$. As we develop our new theory of "squigonometry" using only elementary calculus, we will catch glimpses of some very interesting and deep ideas in elliptic integrals, non-euclidean geometry, number theory, and complex analysis.
ID:
73
Year: 2004
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history
Title of Talk: Mechanically finding Fourier coefficients
Abstract: In the era before oscilloscopes and computers, how did acousticians analyze sound waves? One way was to use the Henrici Harmonic Analyzer. The presentation will discuss how and why it works, including video and still shots of using it recently at the University of Iowa.
Year: 2004
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history
Title of Talk: Mechanically finding Fourier coefficients
Abstract: In the era before oscilloscopes and computers, how did acousticians analyze sound waves? One way was to use the Henrici Harmonic Analyzer. The presentation will discuss how and why it works, including video and still shots of using it recently at the University of Iowa.
ID:
337
Year: 2012
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Points are Terrible. Better Assessment is possible
Abstract: This is a preliminary report (and a bit of a polemic) about my new experiment with standards based assessment in a college level Euclidean Geometry course.
Year: 2012
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Points are Terrible. Better Assessment is possible
Abstract: This is a preliminary report (and a bit of a polemic) about my new experiment with standards based assessment in a college level Euclidean Geometry course.
ID:
338
Year: 2012
Name: Jason Grout
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: An Introduction to Sage
Abstract: Sage is a free, open-source mathematical software system. In this workshop we will give a short introduction to the capabilities and features of Sage and give everyone a chance to try it out.
Year: 2012
Name: Jason Grout
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: An Introduction to Sage
Abstract: Sage is a free, open-source mathematical software system. In this workshop we will give a short introduction to the capabilities and features of Sage and give everyone a chance to try it out.
ID:
102
Year: 2005
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of math, fourier series
Title of Talk: The Henrici Harmonic Analyser
Abstract: The mathematical basis for analysis of a periodic function was provided by J. B. J. Fourier in Paris in 1822 in the form of a series expansion. Calculations, however, were very tedious. Several ingenious mechanical devices to perform the analysis were devised in the late 19th Century and perfected in the early 20th Century. An important example is the Henrici analyzer, a working version of which is housed in the Department of Speech and Audiology at The University of Iowa. The mathematical background of the device will be described, and videos will be shown of the authors using the Iowa Henrici to analyze a waveform. Pictures and descriptions of another device at the Science Museum in South Kensington, London will also be presented.
Year: 2005
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): History of math, fourier series
Title of Talk: The Henrici Harmonic Analyser
Abstract: The mathematical basis for analysis of a periodic function was provided by J. B. J. Fourier in Paris in 1822 in the form of a series expansion. Calculations, however, were very tedious. Several ingenious mechanical devices to perform the analysis were devised in the late 19th Century and perfected in the early 20th Century. An important example is the Henrici analyzer, a working version of which is housed in the Department of Speech and Audiology at The University of Iowa. The mathematical background of the device will be described, and videos will be shown of the authors using the Iowa Henrici to analyze a waveform. Pictures and descriptions of another device at the Science Museum in South Kensington, London will also be presented.
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:
390
Year: 2014
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Building Towards Student Ownership
Abstract: Why should a student choose to continue his or her study of mathematics beyond high school? How can we enrich our mathematics classes to make them more interesting and engaging? How can we introduce students to the culture of mathematics, and bring them into the community? I will argue that one way to address these questions is to trust in the students and return to them the ownership of the mathematics, both the content and the process. We might even have some time to discuss how we can pull that off without looking too foolish.
Year: 2014
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Building Towards Student Ownership
Abstract: Why should a student choose to continue his or her study of mathematics beyond high school? How can we enrich our mathematics classes to make them more interesting and engaging? How can we introduce students to the culture of mathematics, and bring them into the community? I will argue that one way to address these questions is to trust in the students and return to them the ownership of the mathematics, both the content and the process. We might even have some time to discuss how we can pull that off without looking too foolish.
ID:
398
Year: 2014
Name: Olena Ostapyuk
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematics Education
Title of Talk: How can i be more than Imaginary for Future HIgh School Mathematics Teachers
Abstract: High school teachers introduce i as a solution to the equation x^2=-1 without understanding the geometry of complex numbers. This results in students not understanding the role of complex numbers in other contexts. The purpose of this talk is to share an introduction to complex numbers used in a mathematics course for future secondary mathematics teachers to demystify i and provide a rationale for its use in both pure and applied mathematics.
Year: 2014
Name: Olena Ostapyuk
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematics Education
Title of Talk: How can i be more than Imaginary for Future HIgh School Mathematics Teachers
Abstract: High school teachers introduce i as a solution to the equation x^2=-1 without understanding the geometry of complex numbers. This results in students not understanding the role of complex numbers in other contexts. The purpose of this talk is to share an introduction to complex numbers used in a mathematics course for future secondary mathematics teachers to demystify i and provide a rationale for its use in both pure and applied mathematics.
ID:
443
Year: 2016
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics and the centenary of the Iowa section
Title of Talk: The Smithsonian Exhibit for the MAA Centenary: The Iowa Connection
Abstract: Artifacts from Richard P. Baker, a founding member of the MAA from the Iowa section, were on display at the American History Museum for the MAA centenary. This talk will feature details of his life and work at the University of Iowa, with a focus on the mathematical models he created.
Year: 2016
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics and the centenary of the Iowa section
Title of Talk: The Smithsonian Exhibit for the MAA Centenary: The Iowa Connection
Abstract: Artifacts from Richard P. Baker, a founding member of the MAA from the Iowa section, were on display at the American History Museum for the MAA centenary. This talk will feature details of his life and work at the University of Iowa, with a focus on the mathematical models he created.
ID:
459
Year: 2016
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology
Title of Talk: Butterfly Diagrams for Knots and Links
Abstract: A “butterfly diagram” for a knot is a way to represent that knot with a kind of graph on the sphere. This generalization of Thurston’s construction of the Borromean rings was introduced by Hilden, Montesinos, Tejada, and Toro to give a new approach to the study of the bridge index of knots. We will introduce the ideas with lots of examples (pictures and physical models) and discuss the connection with the classical bridge index invariant.
Year: 2016
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology
Title of Talk: Butterfly Diagrams for Knots and Links
Abstract: A “butterfly diagram” for a knot is a way to represent that knot with a kind of graph on the sphere. This generalization of Thurston’s construction of the Borromean rings was introduced by Hilden, Montesinos, Tejada, and Toro to give a new approach to the study of the bridge index of knots. We will introduce the ideas with lots of examples (pictures and physical models) and discuss the connection with the classical bridge index invariant.
ID:
460
Year: 2016
Name: Mark Ronnenberg
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology
Title of Talk: Reidemeister Moves and Equivalence of Butterfly Diagrams for Links
Abstract: By a theorem of Reidemeister, two links are equivalent if and only if they have regular projections which can be related by a finite sequence of special changes called Reidemeister moves. It is an open problem to find a complete set of "butterfly moves" to turn a butterfly diagram for a given link into a butterfly diagram for an equivalent link. In this talk, we will translate the Reidemeister moves into butterfly moves and present some examples.
Year: 2016
Name: Mark Ronnenberg
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology
Title of Talk: Reidemeister Moves and Equivalence of Butterfly Diagrams for Links
Abstract: By a theorem of Reidemeister, two links are equivalent if and only if they have regular projections which can be related by a finite sequence of special changes called Reidemeister moves. It is an open problem to find a complete set of "butterfly moves" to turn a butterfly diagram for a given link into a butterfly diagram for an equivalent link. In this talk, we will translate the Reidemeister moves into butterfly moves and present some examples.
ID:
477
Year: 2017
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology - knot theory
Title of Talk: A Naive Computational Approach to Bridge Index for Knots
Abstract: The bridge index of a knot is a classical geometric invariant introduced by Schubert in the 1930's. It is difficult to compute, in general. But a naive approach with pencil and paper will easily produce upper bounds. In this joint work with MA student Genevieve Johnson, we implement a version of this naive approach in Python, and compute the bridge index for all prime knots in Rolfsen's table with no more than 12 crossings.
Year: 2017
Name: Theron Hitchman
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): topology - knot theory
Title of Talk: A Naive Computational Approach to Bridge Index for Knots
Abstract: The bridge index of a knot is a classical geometric invariant introduced by Schubert in the 1930's. It is difficult to compute, in general. But a naive approach with pencil and paper will easily produce upper bounds. In this joint work with MA student Genevieve Johnson, we implement a version of this naive approach in Python, and compute the bridge index for all prime knots in Rolfsen's table with no more than 12 crossings.
ID:
479
Year: 2017
Name: Jake Weber
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Exploration of Counter Examples of Balance Sets
Abstract: With large data sets, one might ask if substructure exists, and if so, how large should the data subset be in order to guarantee this substructure. We investigated data subsets of Zp × Zp which are on the boundary, just short of enough data to guarantee substructure, specifically categorizing the data subsets that don’t have substruc- ture. First by brute force checking, we determined the counter examples (graphs with no substructure) for Z5 × Z5. These exam- ples guided our search into Zp × Zp where p ≥ 7. From there, we proved there are four categories of counter examples that do not have a balanced subset in Zp × Zp.
Year: 2017
Name: Jake Weber
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Exploration of Counter Examples of Balance Sets
Abstract: With large data sets, one might ask if substructure exists, and if so, how large should the data subset be in order to guarantee this substructure. We investigated data subsets of Zp × Zp which are on the boundary, just short of enough data to guarantee substructure, specifically categorizing the data subsets that don’t have substruc- ture. First by brute force checking, we determined the counter examples (graphs with no substructure) for Z5 × Z5. These exam- ples guided our search into Zp × Zp where p ≥ 7. From there, we proved there are four categories of counter examples that do not have a balanced subset in Zp × Zp.
ID:
228
Year: 2008
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics
Title of Talk: Euler and Music: a look at the Tentamen of 1739
Abstract: Musicians regard Euler as the leading contributor to theoretical acoustics. Why? This presentation will explore Euler's long interest in music theory.
Year: 2008
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics
Title of Talk: Euler and Music: a look at the Tentamen of 1739
Abstract: Musicians regard Euler as the leading contributor to theoretical acoustics. Why? This presentation will explore Euler's long interest in music theory.
ID:
255
Year: 2009
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics, mathematics education
Title of Talk: A Survey of MAA Study Tours and the Iowa Section
Abstract: Highlights of the MAA Study Tours, with special attention to the participation of members of the Iowa Section.
Year: 2009
Name: Joel Haack
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): history of mathematics, mathematics education
Title of Talk: A Survey of MAA Study Tours and the Iowa Section
Abstract: Highlights of the MAA Study Tours, with special attention to the participation of members of the Iowa Section.