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 41-60 of 471 results.
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ID:
110
Year: 2005
Name: Jenelle McAtee
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): knot theory, differential geometry
Title of Talk: Knots of Constant Curvature
Abstract: In this paper, we use the method of Richard Koch and Christoph Engelhardt to construct many knots of constant curvature.
Year: 2005
Name: Jenelle McAtee
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): knot theory, differential geometry
Title of Talk: Knots of Constant Curvature
Abstract: In this paper, we use the method of Richard Koch and Christoph Engelhardt to construct many knots of constant curvature.
ID:
111
Year: 2005
Name: Kristen Meyer
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Cryptography
Title of Talk: Message Authentication Codes and Quasigroups
Abstract: Message Authentication Codes, or MACs, are commonly used cryptographic tools to ensure that a message has not been changed in transit. MACs can be constructed from a variety of mathematical structures and in a variety of ways. In this talk, I will describe a new MAC (called QMAC) which is based on the non-associativity of quasigroups. In order to obtain security against forgeries, quasigroups of large order must be used. I will also discuss how to create and represent such quasigroups.
Year: 2005
Name: Kristen Meyer
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Cryptography
Title of Talk: Message Authentication Codes and Quasigroups
Abstract: Message Authentication Codes, or MACs, are commonly used cryptographic tools to ensure that a message has not been changed in transit. MACs can be constructed from a variety of mathematical structures and in a variety of ways. In this talk, I will describe a new MAC (called QMAC) which is based on the non-associativity of quasigroups. In order to obtain security against forgeries, quasigroups of large order must be used. I will also discuss how to create and represent such quasigroups.
ID:
112
Year: 2005
Name: Alexander Kleiner
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): history of mathematics, analysis
Title of Talk: The Toeplitz-Silverman Theorem
Abstract: In the first two decades of the twentieth century summability developed from collection of special results used in other parts of analysis into a full-blown field. One of the main points of this transition was a collection of general results that gave conditions for a method to sum every convergent sequence. Papers by Toeplitz, Silverman, Kojima, Schur and others established these theorems. This note will look at the development of these conditions and, as time permits, the reoccurrence of these results in the early day of the "Polish" school of functional analysis.
Year: 2005
Name: Alexander Kleiner
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): history of mathematics, analysis
Title of Talk: The Toeplitz-Silverman Theorem
Abstract: In the first two decades of the twentieth century summability developed from collection of special results used in other parts of analysis into a full-blown field. One of the main points of this transition was a collection of general results that gave conditions for a method to sum every convergent sequence. Papers by Toeplitz, Silverman, Kojima, Schur and others established these theorems. This note will look at the development of these conditions and, as time permits, the reoccurrence of these results in the early day of the "Polish" school of functional analysis.
ID:
113
Year: 2005
Name: Brian Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: A Project Based Finite Math Course
Abstract: In order to breathe new life into a course populated by unenthusiastic non-majors, I have introduced a series of projects which both challenges students and answers the age-old question "When am I ever going to use this stuff?". Successes and failures will both be featured.
Year: 2005
Name: Brian Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: A Project Based Finite Math Course
Abstract: In order to breathe new life into a course populated by unenthusiastic non-majors, I have introduced a series of projects which both challenges students and answers the age-old question "When am I ever going to use this stuff?". Successes and failures will both be featured.
ID:
114
Year: 2005
Name: Karen Shuman
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): mathematics education
Title of Talk: Getting Students to Read a Linear Algebra Text--Methods and Reactions
Abstract: Linear algebra may be the first undergraduate course in which is it crucial for students to understand definitions, theorems, and special examples. Exposing students to new material for the first time in class can take up a lot of time and prevent other, deeper material from being covered. This talk will focus on how I have gotten students to write and think about new material that they read on their own, how I have responded to them, and how students have reacted to the experience.
Year: 2005
Name: Karen Shuman
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): mathematics education
Title of Talk: Getting Students to Read a Linear Algebra Text--Methods and Reactions
Abstract: Linear algebra may be the first undergraduate course in which is it crucial for students to understand definitions, theorems, and special examples. Exposing students to new material for the first time in class can take up a lot of time and prevent other, deeper material from being covered. This talk will focus on how I have gotten students to write and think about new material that they read on their own, how I have responded to them, and how students have reacted to the experience.
ID:
115
Year: 2005
Name: Mahmoud Almanassra
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On the Negative Mass Assigned By the Univariate Zao-Tsiatis and Wang Estimators
Abstract: The Zhao-Tsiatis estimator, for the restricted quality adjusted lifetime (RQAL), is not a monotonic estimator and hence it is not a proper survival function. The Wang estimator, which is a modified version of the ZT-estimator, is also not a monotonic estimator. Both the ZT-estimator and the W-estimator are consistent and reasonably efficient estimators. The simple weighted estimator is monotonic and consistent, but it is less efficient than the other two estimators mentioned above. I will identify the jump points of the simple weighted estimator, the ZT-estimator and the W-estimator. I will also identify which of these points are assigned a negative mass by the estimator. Moreover, I will propose two new consistent estimators for the survival functions of the RQAL.
Year: 2005
Name: Mahmoud Almanassra
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On the Negative Mass Assigned By the Univariate Zao-Tsiatis and Wang Estimators
Abstract: The Zhao-Tsiatis estimator, for the restricted quality adjusted lifetime (RQAL), is not a monotonic estimator and hence it is not a proper survival function. The Wang estimator, which is a modified version of the ZT-estimator, is also not a monotonic estimator. Both the ZT-estimator and the W-estimator are consistent and reasonably efficient estimators. The simple weighted estimator is monotonic and consistent, but it is less efficient than the other two estimators mentioned above. I will identify the jump points of the simple weighted estimator, the ZT-estimator and the W-estimator. I will also identify which of these points are assigned a negative mass by the estimator. Moreover, I will propose two new consistent estimators for the survival functions of the RQAL.
ID:
116
Year: 2005
Name: Sean Bradley
Institution: Clarke College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Generalized Arithmetic Triangles via Convolution
Abstract: Pascal
Year: 2005
Name: Sean Bradley
Institution: Clarke College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Generalized Arithmetic Triangles via Convolution
Abstract: Pascal
ID:
117
Year: 2005
Name: Eugene Herman
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): Linear geometry
Title of Talk: Equidistant Sets and Similarity Transformations
Abstract: The main result to be presented is the following: If f is a nonconstant function from R^n to R^n that preserves equality of distances, then f is a similarity transformation. A key concept in the proof is a special type of affinely independent set of points -- a set of points that are equidistant from one another. The proof uses elementary linear algebra and geometric reasoning and little else. Much of the emphasis in the presentation will be on the interplay of algebra and geometry. Also, there will be some remarks on the connections with classical geometry, including the Fundamental Theorem of Affine Geometry.
Year: 2005
Name: Eugene Herman
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): Linear geometry
Title of Talk: Equidistant Sets and Similarity Transformations
Abstract: The main result to be presented is the following: If f is a nonconstant function from R^n to R^n that preserves equality of distances, then f is a similarity transformation. A key concept in the proof is a special type of affinely independent set of points -- a set of points that are equidistant from one another. The proof uses elementary linear algebra and geometric reasoning and little else. Much of the emphasis in the presentation will be on the interplay of algebra and geometry. Also, there will be some remarks on the connections with classical geometry, including the Fundamental Theorem of Affine Geometry.
ID:
118
Year: 2005
Name: Charles Jepsen
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Equidissections of Trapezoids
Abstract: Denote by T(a) the trapezoid with vertices (0,0), (1,0), (0,1), (a,1). We are interested in dissections of T(a) into triangles of equal areas (i.e., equidissections of T(a)). What numbers of triangles are possible? We answer this question for certain infinite collections of trapezoids where a has the form a = p + q*sqrt(d). These results lead to a conjecture as to what might be true for all such values of a .
Year: 2005
Name: Charles Jepsen
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Equidissections of Trapezoids
Abstract: Denote by T(a) the trapezoid with vertices (0,0), (1,0), (0,1), (a,1). We are interested in dissections of T(a) into triangles of equal areas (i.e., equidissections of T(a)). What numbers of triangles are possible? We answer this question for certain infinite collections of trapezoids where a has the form a = p + q*sqrt(d). These results lead to a conjecture as to what might be true for all such values of a .
ID:
119
Year: 2005
Name: Christopher French
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): convex geometry
Title of Talk: Graphs of Polytopes
Abstract: A polytope is a bounded intersection of half-spaces in R^n. The vertices and edges of a polytope form a graph. The graph of a 3 dimensional polytope is planar, since the surface of the polytope is homeomorphic to a sphere. It follows that such graphs cannot have K_5 minors. We generalize this fact, showing that graphs of n-dimensional polytopes cannot have K_{n+2} minors.
Year: 2005
Name: Christopher French
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): convex geometry
Title of Talk: Graphs of Polytopes
Abstract: A polytope is a bounded intersection of half-spaces in R^n. The vertices and edges of a polytope form a graph. The graph of a 3 dimensional polytope is planar, since the surface of the polytope is homeomorphic to a sphere. It follows that such graphs cannot have K_5 minors. We generalize this fact, showing that graphs of n-dimensional polytopes cannot have K_{n+2} minors.
ID:
120
Year: 2005
Name: Jeremy Alm
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Algebra, Logic
Title of Talk: Don't Be So Sensitive! --On the Definition(s) of a Group
Abstract: We have all seen different variations on the definition of a group, and we all know that each one admits "the same structures". There are, however, some subtle but important differences among them. The class of groups and the properties that it has are sensitive to the signature (or similarity type) in which the groups are defined. In particular, in some signatures equational definitions are possible and in others they are not.
Year: 2005
Name: Jeremy Alm
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): Algebra, Logic
Title of Talk: Don't Be So Sensitive! --On the Definition(s) of a Group
Abstract: We have all seen different variations on the definition of a group, and we all know that each one admits "the same structures". There are, however, some subtle but important differences among them. The class of groups and the properties that it has are sensitive to the signature (or similarity type) in which the groups are defined. In particular, in some signatures equational definitions are possible and in others they are not.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.