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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Articles 1 - 17 of 17

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Mathematics, Kim Regnier Jongerius Feb 2023

Mathematics, Kim Regnier Jongerius

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Inspired by the song "Memories" from the musical Cats, this work describes some of the frustrations and joys inherent in mathematical work.


A Life Cut Short, Cacey L. Wells Jul 2021

A Life Cut Short, Cacey L. Wells

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Connecting scholars and students with the human side of mathematics is critical. This poem about Évariste Galois provides a synopsis of his controversial life, while also providing details into his life that some may not be familiar with.


Permission To Add: Math-Teaching Limericks, Marion D. Cohen Jan 2021

Permission To Add: Math-Teaching Limericks, Marion D. Cohen

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Throughout my years and decades of being a teacher, I have written limericks about every course I’ve taught, and sometimes courses I haven’t taught but reviewed textbooks in. Here I share several of these limericks.


Spirit-Wise Math: Two Examples From A Collection Of Mathaphors, Sarah Voss Jan 2019

Spirit-Wise Math: Two Examples From A Collection Of Mathaphors, Sarah Voss

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This article consists of two examples of loosely spiritual insights drawn from mathematics, both of which are from a work-in-progress -- a collection of mathematical metaphors.


An Overview Of Computational Mathematical Physics: A Deep Dive On Gauge Theories, Andre Simoneau Jan 2019

An Overview Of Computational Mathematical Physics: A Deep Dive On Gauge Theories, Andre Simoneau

CMC Senior Theses

Over the course of a college mathematics degree, students are inevitably exposed to elementary physics. The derivation of the equations of motion are the classic examples of applications of derivatives and integrals. These equations of motion are easy to understand, however they can be expressed in other ways that students aren't often exposed to. Using the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian, we can capture the same governing dynamics of Newtonian mechanics with equations that emphasize physical quantities other than position, velocity, and acceleration like Newton's equations do. Building o of these alternate interpretations of mechanics and understanding gauge transformations, we begin …


To Fall In Love With Math, Do This, Susan D'Agostino Jan 2018

To Fall In Love With Math, Do This, Susan D'Agostino

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In the viral New York Times essay, “To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This,” Mandy Len Catron details an experience she and an acquaintance had as they shared responses to psychologist Arthur Aron’s thirty-six questions intended to make participants fall in love. She notes that, “we all have a narrative of ourselves that we offer up to strangers and acquaintances, but Dr. Aron’s questions make it impossible to rely on that narrative.” In this paper, we claim that we also have narratives of our relationship to mathematics that we offer up to ourselves and others. Following, we offer a …


One = Zero, Eric John Gofen Jul 2017

One = Zero, Eric John Gofen

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In this paper, I use Mathematics in addition to the three most pure sciences --- Physics, Chemistry, and Rap --- to prove that 1=0. The argument uses The Ideal Gas Law, Ohm's Law, the Definitions of Power and Velocity in addition to indefinite integrals, simple mathematical operations, and the 99 Problems Law. The intuition-crushing result can be applied to all branches of mathematics and sciences and will likely go down as one of the greatest discoveries of all time.


Disciple, Jessica K. Sklar Jul 2017

Disciple, Jessica K. Sklar

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This is a love poem for mathematics.


Mathematics In The Mind's Eye: Michael Schultheis Paints Poetic And Conceptual Geometries, Patricia Grieve Watkinson Jul 2017

Mathematics In The Mind's Eye: Michael Schultheis Paints Poetic And Conceptual Geometries, Patricia Grieve Watkinson

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Michael Schultheis is an established artist and a formally-educated mathematician. In his practice the two disciplines are inextricably linked. His large-scale lyrical paintings at first glance seem to focus on the effects of light and atmospheres, representing cloudscapes or waterscapes in resonant color. Yet moving through these mists are decidedly mathematical references --- drawn geometric shapes and hand-written equations. These are employed by Schultheis to represent the physical world or to express feelings (or both). For example, he may examine the structure of a pine cone or reflect on human relationships or do both at the same time. The resulting …


The University Of Montana Department Of Mathematics Post-Apocalyptic Working Seminar, Kenan A. Ince Feb 2017

The University Of Montana Department Of Mathematics Post-Apocalyptic Working Seminar, Kenan A. Ince

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.


Four Years With Russell, Gödel, And Erdős: An Undergraduate's Reflection On His Mathematical Education, Michael H. Boggess Jan 2017

Four Years With Russell, Gödel, And Erdős: An Undergraduate's Reflection On His Mathematical Education, Michael H. Boggess

CMC Senior Theses

Senior Thesis at CMC is often described institutionally as the capstone of one’s undergraduate education. As such, I wanted my own to accurately capture and reflect how I’ve grown as a student and mathematician these past four years. What follows is my attempt to distill lessons I learned in mathematics outside the curriculum, written for incoming undergraduates and anyone with just a little bit of mathematical curiosity. In it, I attempt to dispel some common preconceptions about mathematics, namely that it’s uninteresting, formulaic, acultural, or completely objective, in favor of a dynamic historical and cultural perspective, with particular attention paid …


Stop Ruining Math! Reasons And Remedies For The Maladies Of Mathematics Education, Rachel M. Steinig Jul 2016

Stop Ruining Math! Reasons And Remedies For The Maladies Of Mathematics Education, Rachel M. Steinig

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Did you love math as a kid? Or was it ruined for you? Sadly, many people have had math ruined for them for various reasons. Some might say that it was because of not understanding what was going on, being bored in class, parental or societal pressure to achieve in math, not seeing a point in learning math, wrong amount of homework, grades, curriculum, physical concerns, mean teachers, or any number of things. This article delves into the many common reasons why math is ruined for so many kids, and offers solutions so that math can be enjoyable for everyone. …


My Finite Field, Matthew Schroeder Jan 2015

My Finite Field, Matthew Schroeder

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A love poem written in the language of mathematics.


Math Moment, Paige S. Orland Jul 2012

Math Moment, Paige S. Orland

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A short poem comparing Exponential and Logistic functions.


Mathematics And The Hunger Games, Michael A. Lewis Jul 2012

Mathematics And The Hunger Games, Michael A. Lewis

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The Hunger Games plot features a dystopian future in which twelve outer districts are oppressed by a centralized capital. The story focuses on the heroism of a sixteen-year-old girl named Katniss and how she tries to rise above the oppression that she experiences. It also features a special lottery and other twists that are sources of mathematical interest. This essay focuses on some of the mathematical issues raised by The Hunger Games in an effort to show that this story can be used to teach students (as well as other interested parties) some important concepts from mathematics.


Prove It!, Kenny W. Moran Jan 2012

Prove It!, Kenny W. Moran

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A dialogue between a mathematics professor, Frank, and his daughter, Sarah, a mathematical savant with a powerful mathematical intuition. Sarah's intuition allows her to stumble into some famous theorems from number theory, but her lack of academic mathematical background makes it difficult for her to understand Frank's insistence on the value of proof and formality.


Twisted Virtual Biracks, Jessica Ceniceros Jan 2011

Twisted Virtual Biracks, Jessica Ceniceros

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis will take a look at a branch of topology called knot theory. We will first look at what started the study of this field, classical knot theory. Knot invariants such as the Bracket polynomial and the Jones polynomial will be introduced and studied. We will then explore racks and biracks along with the axioms obtained from the Reidemeister moves. We will then move on to generalize classical knot theory to what is now known as virtual knot theory which was first introduced by Louis Kauffman. Finally, we take a look at a newer aspect of knot theory, twisted …