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Articles 61 - 87 of 87
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The Genesis Of A Theorem, Osvaldo Marrero
The Genesis Of A Theorem, Osvaldo Marrero
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
We present the story of a theorem's conception and birth. The tale begins with the circumstances in which the idea sprouted; then is the question's origin; next comes the preliminary investigation, which led to the conjecture and the proof; finally, we state the theorem. Our discussion is accessible to anyone who knows mathematical induction. Therefore, this material can be used for instruction in a variety of courses. In particular, this story may be used in undergraduate courses as an example of how mathematicians do research. As a bonus, the proof by induction is not of the simplest kind, because it …
Where Do Babies Come From?, Marcio Luis Ferreira Nascimento
Where Do Babies Come From?, Marcio Luis Ferreira Nascimento
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
According to European folklore, popularized by a fairy tale, storks are responsible for bringing babies to new parents. This probably came from observation in certain European countries, such as Norway, Netherlands or Germany, that storks nesting on the roofs of households were believed to bring good luck, as the possibility of new births. People love stories, but correlation simply means that there is a relationship between two factors that tells nothing about the direction of said relationship, if any. Another possibility is simple coincidence. Let us say that it’s possible that one factor causes another. It’s also possible that the …
Teaching Mathematics After Covid: A Conversation Not A Discussion, Wendy Ann Forbes, Joyce Mgombelo
Teaching Mathematics After Covid: A Conversation Not A Discussion, Wendy Ann Forbes, Joyce Mgombelo
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Inspired by Brent Davis' conceptualization of listening and conversation in his book Teaching Mathematics: Toward a Sound Alternative, we propose how we as a mathematics education community may move forward by continuing in the conversation that emerged from COVID. We encourage all involved to listen rather than assume a discussion-oriented stance. Using an enactivist lens, we look at the pandemic learning space, give an overview of the education conversation that emerged in Ontario, and offer a way to rethink Mathematics Education within the frame of a conversation. We believe that if mathematics education is to engage learners in a meaningful …
A Classification Of Musical Scales Using Binary Sequences, Thomas Hillen
A Classification Of Musical Scales Using Binary Sequences, Thomas Hillen
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Every beginning music student has gone through the four main musical scales: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. And some might wonder, why those four and not five, or six, or just three? Here we show that a mathematical classification can be used to identify these scales as representatives of certain scale families. Moreover, the classification reveals another scale family, which is much less known: the harmonic major scale. We find that each scale family contains exactly seven scales, which include the modes (dorian, phrygian,...) and other scales such as the Romanian, …
Human-Machine Collaboration In The Teaching Of Proof, Gila Hanna, Brendan P. Larvor, Xiaoheng (Kitty) Yan
Human-Machine Collaboration In The Teaching Of Proof, Gila Hanna, Brendan P. Larvor, Xiaoheng (Kitty) Yan
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
This paper argues that interactive theorem provers (ITPs) could play an important role in fostering students’ appreciation and understanding of proof and of mathematics in general. It shows that the ITP Lean has three features that mitigate existing difficulties in teaching and learning mathematical proof. One is that it requires students to identify a proof strategy at the start. The second is that it gives students instant feedback while allowing them to explore with maximum autonomy. The third is that elementary formal logic finds a natural place in the activity of creating proofs. The challenge in using Lean is that …
The Merchant And The Mathematician: Commerce And Accounting, Graziano Gentili, Luisa Simonutti, Daniele C. Struppa
The Merchant And The Mathematician: Commerce And Accounting, Graziano Gentili, Luisa Simonutti, Daniele C. Struppa
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
In this article we describe the invention of double-entry bookkeeping (or partita doppiaas it was called in Italian), as a fertile intersection between mathematics and early commerce. We focus our attention on this seemingly simple technique that requires only minimal mathematical expertise, but whose discovery is clearly the result of a mathematical way of thinking, in order to make a conceptual point about the role of mathematics as the humus from which disciplines as different as operations research, computer science, and data science have evolved.
The Roles Of Mathematical Metaphors And Gestures In The Understanding Of Abstract Mathematical Concepts, Omid Khatin-Zadeh, Zahra Eskandari, Danyal Farsani
The Roles Of Mathematical Metaphors And Gestures In The Understanding Of Abstract Mathematical Concepts, Omid Khatin-Zadeh, Zahra Eskandari, Danyal Farsani
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
When a new mathematical idea is presented to students in terms of abstract mathematical symbols, they may have difficulty to grasp it. This difficulty arises because abstract mathematical symbols do not directly refer to concretely perceivable objects. But, when the same content is presented in the form of a graph or a gesture that depicts that graph, it is often much easier to grasp. The process of solving a complex mathematical problem can also be facilitated with the use of a graphical representation. Transforming a mathematical problem or concept into a graphical representation is a common problem solving strategy, and …
From A Doodle To A Theorem: A Case Study In Mathematical Discovery, Juan FernáNdez GonzáLez, Dirk Schlimm
From A Doodle To A Theorem: A Case Study In Mathematical Discovery, Juan FernáNdez GonzáLez, Dirk Schlimm
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
We present some aspects of the genesis of a geometric construction, which can be carried out with compass and straightedge, from the original idea to the published version (Fernández González 2016). The Midpoint Path Construction makes it possible to multiply the length of a line segment by a rational number between 0 and 1 by constructing only midpoints and a straight line. In the form of an interview, we explore the context and narrative behind the discovery, with first-hand insights by its author. Finally, we discuss some general aspects of this case study in the context of philosophy of mathematical …
Where Does Mathematics Come From? Really, Where?, Mark Huber, Gizem Karaali
Where Does Mathematics Come From? Really, Where?, Mark Huber, Gizem Karaali
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
No abstract provided.
Introducing Systems Via Laplace Transforms, Ollie Nanyes
Introducing Systems Via Laplace Transforms, Ollie Nanyes
CODEE Journal
The purpose of this note is to show how to move from Laplace Transforms to a brief introduction to two dimensional systems of linear differential equations with only basic matrix algebra.
Explorations In Well-Rounded Lattices, Tanis Nielsen
Explorations In Well-Rounded Lattices, Tanis Nielsen
HMC Senior Theses
Lattices are discrete subgroups of Euclidean spaces. Analogously to vector spaces, they can be described as spans of collections of linearly independent vectors, but with integer (instead of real) coefficients. Lattices have many fascinating geometric properties and numerous applications, and lattice theory is a rich and active field of theoretical work. In this thesis, we present an introduction to the theory of Euclidean lattices, along with an overview of some major unsolved problems, such as sphere packing. We then describe several more specialized topics, including prior work on well-rounded ideal lattices and some preliminary results on the study of planar …
Computational Investigation Of The Ionization Potential Of Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots, Jessica Beyer
Computational Investigation Of The Ionization Potential Of Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots, Jessica Beyer
Scripps Senior Theses
The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of quantum dot size on ionization potential and to determine how the presence of carbonyl-based ligands affect the ionization potential of lead sulfide quantum dot systems. Ionization potential (IP) is defined as the energy required to remove an electron from an atom, molecule, or material. IP helps scientists determine how reactive the material of interest is, which is crucial information when manufacturing nanomaterials. Accurate quantum chemical calculations of ionization potential are challenging due to the computational cost associated with the numerical solution of the Dyson equation. In this work, the …
On Symmetric Operator Ideals And S-Numbers, Daniel Akech Thiong
On Symmetric Operator Ideals And S-Numbers, Daniel Akech Thiong
CGU Theses & Dissertations
Motivated by the well-known theorem of Schauder, we study the relationship between various s-numbers of an operator T and its adjoint T∗ between Banach spaces. For non-compact operator T ∈ L(X, Y ), we do not have a lot of information about the relationship between n-th s-number, sn(T), with sn(T∗ ), however, in chapter 2, by considering X and Y , with lifting and extension properties, respectively, we were able to obtain a relationship between sn(T) with sn(T∗ ) for certain …
Generalized Far-Difference Representations, Prakod Ngamlamai
Generalized Far-Difference Representations, Prakod Ngamlamai
HMC Senior Theses
Integers are often represented as a base-$b$ representation by the sum $\sum c_ib^i$. Lekkerkerker and Zeckendorf later provided the rules for representing integers as the sum of Fibonacci numbers. Hannah Alpert then introduced the far-difference representation by providing rules for writing an integer with both positive and negative multiples of Fibonacci numbers. Our work aims to generalize her work to a broader family of linear recurrences. To do so, we describe desired properties of the representations, such as lexicographic ordering, and provide a family of algorithms for each linear recurrence that generate unique representations for any integer. We then prove …
Beginner's Analysis Of Financial Stochastic Process Models, David Garcia
Beginner's Analysis Of Financial Stochastic Process Models, David Garcia
HMC Senior Theses
This thesis explores the use of geometric Brownian motion (GBM) as a financial model for predicting stock prices. The model is first introduced and its assumptions and limitations are discussed. Then, it is shown how to simulate GBM in order to predict stock price values. The performance of the GBM model is then evaluated in two different periods of time to determine whether it's accuracy has changed before and after March 23, 2020.
Multilayer Network Model Of Gender Bias And Homophily In Hierarchical Structures, Emerson Mcmullen
Multilayer Network Model Of Gender Bias And Homophily In Hierarchical Structures, Emerson Mcmullen
HMC Senior Theses
Although women have made progress in entering positions in academia and
industry, they are still underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership.
Two factors that may contribute to this leaky pipeline are gender bias,
the tendency to treat individuals differently based on the person’s gender
identity, and homophily, the tendency of people to want to be around those
who are similar to themselves. Here, we present a multilayer network model
of gender representation in professional hierarchies that incorporates these
two factors. This model builds on previous work by Clifton et al. (2019), but
the multilayer network framework allows us to …
The Sensitivity Of A Laplacian Family Of Ranking Methods, Claire S. Chang
The Sensitivity Of A Laplacian Family Of Ranking Methods, Claire S. Chang
HMC Senior Theses
Ranking from pairwise comparisons is a particularly rich subset of ranking problems. In this work, we focus on a family of ranking methods for pairwise comparisons which encompasses the well-known Massey, Colley, and Markov methods. We will accomplish two objectives to deepen our understanding of this family. First, we will consider its network diffusion interpretation. Second, we will analyze its sensitivity by studying the "maximal upset" where the direction of an arc between the highest and lowest ranked alternatives is flipped. Through these analyses, we will build intuition to answer the question "What are the characteristics of robust ranking methods?" …
Discrete Analogues Of The Poincaré-Hopf Theorem, Kate Perkins
Discrete Analogues Of The Poincaré-Hopf Theorem, Kate Perkins
HMC Senior Theses
My thesis unpacks the relationship between two discrete formulations of the Poincaré-Hopf index theorem. Chapter 1 introduces necessary definitions. Chapter 2 describes the discrete analogs and their differences. Chapter 3 contains a proof that one analog implies the other and chapter 4 contains a proof that the Poincaré-Hopf theorem implies the discrete analogs. Finally, chapter 5 presents still open questions and further research directions.
An Inquiry Into Lorentzian Polynomials, Tomás Aguilar-Fraga
An Inquiry Into Lorentzian Polynomials, Tomás Aguilar-Fraga
HMC Senior Theses
In combinatorics, it is often desirable to show that a sequence is unimodal. One method of establishing this is by proving the stronger yet easier-to-prove condition of being log-concave, or even ultra-log-concave. In 2019, Petter Brändén and June Huh introduced the concept of Lorentzian polynomials, an exciting new tool which can help show that ultra-log-concavity holds in specific cases. My thesis investigates these Lorentzian polynomials, asking in which situations they are broadly useful. It covers topics such as matroid theory, discrete convexity, and Mason’s conjecture, a long-standing open problem in matroid theory. In addition, we discuss interesting applications to known …
Long Increasing Subsequences, Hannah Friedman
Long Increasing Subsequences, Hannah Friedman
HMC Senior Theses
In my thesis, I investigate long increasing subsequences of permutations from two angles. Motivated by studying interpretations of the longest increasing subsequence statistic across different representations of permutations, we investigate the relationship between reduced words for permutations and their RSK tableaux in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, we use permutations with long increasing subsequences to construct a basis for the space of 𝑘-local functions.
Permutations, Representations, And Partition Algebras: A Random Walk Through Algebraic Statistics, Ian Shors
Permutations, Representations, And Partition Algebras: A Random Walk Through Algebraic Statistics, Ian Shors
HMC Senior Theses
My thesis examines a class of functions on the symmetric group called permutation statistics using tools from representation theory. In 2014, Axel Hultman gave formulas for computing expected values of permutation statistics sampled via random walks. I present analogous formulas for computing variances of these statistics involving Kronecker coefficients – certain numbers that arise in the representation theory of the symmetric group. I also explore deep connections between the study of moments of permutation statistics and the representation theory of the partition algebras, a family of algebras introduced by Paul Martin in 1991. By harnessing these partition algebras, I derive …
A Visual Tour Of Dynamical Systems On Color Space, Jonathan Maltsman
A Visual Tour Of Dynamical Systems On Color Space, Jonathan Maltsman
HMC Senior Theses
We can think of a pixel as a particle in three dimensional space, where its x, y and z coordinates correspond to its level of red, green, and blue, respectively. Just as a particle’s motion is guided by physical rules like gravity, we can construct rules to guide a pixel’s motion through color space. We can develop striking visuals by applying these rules, called dynamical systems, onto images using animation engines. This project explores a number of these systems while exposing the underlying algebraic structure of color space. We also build and demonstrate a Visual DJ circuit board for …
Partially Filled Latin Squares, Mariam Abu-Adas
Partially Filled Latin Squares, Mariam Abu-Adas
Scripps Senior Theses
In this thesis, we analyze various types of Latin squares, their solvability and embeddings. We examine the results by M. Hall, P. Hall, Ryser and Evans first, and apply our understandings to develop an algorithm that the determines the minimum possible embedding of an unsolvable Latin square. We also study Latin squares with missing diagonals in detail.
Lattice Extensions And Zeros Of Multilinear Polynomials, Maxwell Forst
Lattice Extensions And Zeros Of Multilinear Polynomials, Maxwell Forst
CGU Theses & Dissertations
We treat several problems related to the existence of lattice extensions preserving certain geometric properties and small-height zeros of various multilinear polynomials. An extension of a Euclidean lattice $L_1$ is a lattice $L_2$ of higher rank containing $L_1$ so that the intersection of $L_2$ with the subspace spanned by $L_1$ is equal to $L_1$. Our first result provides a counting estimate on the number of ways a primitive collection of vectors in a lattice can be extended to a basis for this lattice. Next, we discuss the existence of lattice extensions with controlled determinant, successive minima and covering radius. In …
Measuring Racial Segregation In Los Angeles County Using Random Walks, Zarina Kismet Dhillon
Measuring Racial Segregation In Los Angeles County Using Random Walks, Zarina Kismet Dhillon
CMC Senior Theses
As of now there is no universal quantitative measure used to evaluate racial segregation in different regions. This paper begins by providing a history of segregation, with an emphasis on the impact of redlining in the early 20th century. We move to its effect on the current population distribution in Los Angeles, California, and then provide an overview of the mathematical concepts that have been used in previous measurements of segregation. We then introduce a method that we believe encompasses the most representative aspects of preceding work, proposed by Sousa and Nicosia in their work on quantifying ethnic segregation in …
Counting Spanning Trees On Triangular Lattices, Angie Wang
Counting Spanning Trees On Triangular Lattices, Angie Wang
CMC Senior Theses
This thesis focuses on finding spanning tree counts for triangular lattices and other planar graphs comprised of triangular faces. This topic has applications in redistricting: many proposed algorithmic methods for detecting gerrymandering involve spanning trees, and graphs representing states/regions are often triangulated. First, we present and prove Kirchhoff’s Matrix Tree Theorem, a well known formula for computing the number of spanning trees of a multigraph. Then, we use combinatorial methods to find spanning tree counts for chains of triangles and 3 × n triangular lattices (some limiting formulas exist, but they rely on higher level mathematics). For a chain of …