Geometry and Topology Commons^™

Classification Of Torsion Subgroups For Mordell Curves, Zachary Porat

Honors Theses

Elliptic curves are an interesting area of study in mathematics, laying at the intersection of algebra, geometry, and number theory. They are a powerful tool, having applications in everything from Andrew Wiles’ proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem to cybersecurity. In this paper, we first provide an introduction to elliptic curves by discussing their geometry and associated group structure. We then narrow our focus, further investigating the torsion subgroups of elliptic curves. In particular, we will examine two methods used to classify these subgroups. We finish by employing these methods to categorize the torsion subgroups for a specific family of elliptic …

Geometric Realizations Of Abstract Regular Polyhedra With Automorphism Group H3, Mark L. Loyola, Jonn Angel L. Aranas

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A geometric realization of an abstract polyhedron P is a mapping that sends an i-face to an open set of dimension i. This work adapts a method based on Wythoff construction to generate a full rank realization of an abstract regular polyhedron from its automorphism group Gamma. The method entails finding a real orthogonal representation of Gamma of degree 3 and applying its image to suitably chosen (not necessarily connected) open sets in space. To demonstrate the use of the method, it is applied to the abstract polyhedra whose automorphism groups are isomorphic to the non-crystallographic Coxeter group H3.

𝑘-Plane Constant Curvature Conditions, Maxine E. Calle

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

This research generalizes the two invariants known as constant sectional curvature (csc) and constant vector curvature (cvc). We use k-plane scalar curvature to investigate the higher-dimensional analogues of these curvature conditions in Riemannian spaces of arbitrary finite dimension. Many of our results coincide with the known features of the classical k=2 case. We show that a space with constant k-plane scalar curvature has a uniquely determined tensor and that a tensor can be recovered from its k-plane scalar curvature measurements. Through two example spaces with canonical tensors, we demonstrate a method for determining constant k-plane …

Isoperimetric Problems On The Line With Density |𝑥|ᵖ, Juiyu Huang, Xinkai Qian, Yiheng Pan, Mulei Xu, Lu Yang, Junfei Zhou

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

On the line with density |x|^p, we prove that the best single bubble is an interval with endpoint at the origin and that the best double bubble is two adjacent intervals that meet at the origin.

The Isoperimetric Inequality: Proofs By Convex And Differential Geometry, Penelope Gehring

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The Isoperimetric Inequality has many different proofs using methods from diverse mathematical fields. In the paper, two methods to prove this inequality will be shown and compared. First the 2-dimensional case will be proven by tools of elementary differential geometry and Fourier analysis. Afterwards the theory of convex geometry will briefly be introduced and will be used to prove the Brunn--Minkowski-Inequality. Using this inequality, the Isoperimetric Inquality in n dimensions will be shown.

Geogebra Activities: Tracing Points, Jeremy Aikin, Corey Dunn, Jeffrey Meyer, Rolland Trapp

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

In this activity, we will learn how to use GeoGebra (www.geogebra.org) to trace the movement of points, which depend on the movement of other objects. The paths of these points determine curves and we will provide algebraic descriptions of these curves.

Geometry Across The Curriculum, Corey Dunn

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

This project is designed for a multicalculus class already familiar with computing the arc length of a parameterized curve in space. The activity asks the student to first recall basic facts about arc length, and then introduces the notion of measuring lengths of vectors differently, depending on where their initial point is. This is a foundational concept in metric differential geometry, and, this activity attempts to motivate this generalization of computing lengths of vectors through this arc length activity. The activity concludes with a short discussion of basic concepts of Lorentzian geometry, including the idea that lightlike vectors have length …

Graph-Theoretic Simplicial Complexes, Hajos-Type Constructions, And K-Matchings, Julianne Vega

Theses and Dissertations--Mathematics

A graph property is monotone if it is closed under the removal of edges and vertices. Given a graph G and a monotone graph property P, one can associate to the pair (G,P) a simplicial complex, which serves as a way to encode graph properties within faces of a topological space. We study these graph-theoretic simplicial complexes using combinatorial and topological approaches as a way to inform our understanding of the graphs and their properties.

In this dissertation, we study two families of simplicial complexes: (1) neighborhood complexes and (2) k-matching complexes. A neighborhood complex is a simplicial …

Effects Of Aperiodicity And Frustration On The Magnetic Properties Of Artificial Quasicrystals, Barry Farmer

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Quasicrystals have been shown to exhibit physical properties that are dramatically different from their periodic counterparts. A limited number of magnetic quasicrystals have been fabricated and measured, and they do not exhibit long-range magnetic order, which is in direct conflict with simulations that indicate such a state should be accessible. This dissertation adopts a metamaterials approach in which artificial quasicrystals are fabricated and studied with the specific goal of identifying how aperiodicity affects magnetic long-range order. Electron beam lithography techniques were used to pattern magnetic thin films into two types of aperiodic tilings, the Penrose P2, and Ammann-Beenker tilings. SQUID …

Periodic Points On Tori: Vanishing And Realizability, Shane Clark

Theses and Dissertations--Mathematics

Let $X$ be a finite simplicial complex and $f\colon X \to X$ be a continuous map. A point $x\in X$ is a fixed point if $f(x)=x$. Classically fixed point theory develops invariants and obstructions to the removal of fixed points through continuous deformation. The Lefschetz Fixed number is an algebraic invariant that obstructs the removal of fixed points through continuous deformation. \[L(f)=\sum_{i=0}^\infty (-1)^i \tr\left(f_i:H_i(X;\bQ)\to H_i(X;\bQ)\right). \] The Lefschetz Fixed Point theorem states if $L(f)\neq 0$, then $f$ (and therefore all $g\simeq f$) has a fixed point. In general, the converse is not true. However, Lefschetz Number is a complete invariant …

Complete Bipartite Graph Embeddings On Orientable Surfaces Using Cayley Maps, Madeline Spies

Honors Program Theses

We explored how effective Cayley Maps are at embedding complete bipartite graphs onto orientable surfaces, such as spheres and tori. We embedded the graphs onto surfaces using Cayley Maps with the intent of finding rotations that result in the graphs’ optimal genera. Because there are only three groups that can be used to describe Kp,p, where p is prime, we chose to focus on this specific graph type. This paper explains how we determined the genera when using a Cayley Map, provides general theorems for surface face sizes and the Dihedral Group, and discusses our results for Kp,p up to …

Discrepancy Inequalities In Graphs And Their Applications, Adam Purcilly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spectral graph theory, which is the use of eigenvalues of matrices associated with graphs, is a modern technique that has expanded our understanding of graphs and their structure. A particularly useful tool in spectral graph theory is the Expander Mixing Lemma, also known as the discrepancy inequality, which bounds the edge distribution between two sets based on the spectral gap. More specifically, it states that a small spectral gap of a graph implies that the edge distribution is close to random. This dissertation uses this tool to study two problems in extremal graph theory, then produces similar discrepancy inequalities based …

Pascal's Mystic Hexagon In Tropical Geometry, Hanna Hoffman

HMC Senior Theses

Pascal's mystic hexagon is a theorem from projective geometry. Given six points in the projective plane, we can construct three points by extending opposite sides of the hexagon. These three points are collinear if and only if the six original points lie on a nondegenerate conic. We attempt to prove this theorem in the tropical plane.

A Discrete Analogue For The Poincaré-Hopf Theorem, Savana Ammons

HMC Senior Theses

In this thesis, we develop a discrete analogue to the Poincaré–Hopf Theorem. We define the notion of a vector field on a graph, and establish an index theory for such a field. Specifically, we create well-defined indices for the nodes and “cells" formed by a planar graph. Then, we show that the sum of these indices remains constant for certain types of planar graphs, regardless of the discrete vector fields they have.

Where The Wild Knots Are, Forest Kobayashi

HMC Senior Theses

The new work in this document can be broken down into two main parts. In the first, we introduce a formalism for viewing the signed Gauss code for virtual knots in terms of an action of the symmetric group on a countable set. This is achieved by creating a "standard unknot" whose diagram contains countably-many crossings, and then representing tame knots in terms of the action of permutations with finite support. We present some preliminary computational results regarding the group operation given by this encoding, but do not explore it in detail. To make the encoding above formal, we require …

What's Your Sphericity Index? Rationalizing Surface Area And Volume, John A. Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Virginia Standards of Learning include mathematical content related to the surface area and the volume of various geometric objects. In the seventh grade, “Students... solve problems involving volume and surface area” In the eighth grade, “Proportional reasoning is expounded upon as students solve a variety of problems. Students find the volume and surface area of more complex three dimensional figures”. In high school geometry, “The student... use[s] surface area and volume of three-dimensional objects to solve practical problems” (Virginia Department of Education, 2016). The challenge is to find scenarios that are engaging to students and keep them interested in the …

Square Peg Problem In 2-Dimensional Lattice, Nathan M. Matsubara

Senior Projects Fall 2020

The Square Peg Problem, also known as the inscribed square problem poses a question: Does every simple closed curve contain all four points of a square? This project introduces a new approach in proving the square peg problem in 2-dimensional lattice.

To accomplish the result, this research first defines the simple closed curve on 2-dimensional lattice. Then we identify the existence of inscribed half-squares, which are the set of three points of a square, in a lattice simple closed curve. Then we finally add a last point to form a half-square into a square to examine whether all four points …

Discrete Morse Theory By Vector Fields: A Survey And New Directions, Matthew Nemitz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

We synthesize some of the main tools in discrete Morse theory from various sources. We do this in regards to abstract simplicial complexes with an emphasis on vector fields and use this as a building block to achieve our main result which is to investigate the relationship between simplicial maps and homotopy. We use the discrete vector field as a catalyst to build a chain homotopy between chain maps induced by simplicial maps.

Heat Kernel Voting With Geometric Invariants, Alexander Harr

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Here we provide a method for comparing geometric objects. Two objects of interest are embedded into an infinite dimensional Hilbert space using their Laplacian eigenvalues and eigenfunctions, truncated to a finite dimensional Euclidean space, where correspondences between the objects are searched for and voted on. To simplify correspondence finding, we propose using several geometric invariants to reduce the necessary computations. This method improves on voting methods by identifying isometric regions including shapes of genus greater than 0 and dimension greater than 3, as well as almost retaining isometry.

Computing The Newton Potential In The Boundary Integral Equation For The Dirichlet Problem Of The Poisson Equation, Wenchao Guan, Ying Jiang, Yuesheng Xu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Evaluating the Newton potential is crucial for efficiently solving the boundary integral equation of the Dirichlet boundary value problem of the Poisson equation. In the context of the Fourier-Garlerkin method for solving the boundary integral equation, we propose a fast algorithm for evaluating Fourier coefficients of the Newton potential by using a sparse grid approximation. When the forcing function of the Poisson equation expressed in the polar coordinates has mth-order bounded mixed derivatives, the proposed algorithm achieves an accuracy of order 𝒪(n^-m log³ n), with requiring 𝒪(n log² n) number of arithmetics for …