Mathematics Commons^™

Regression Analysis: Graduation Rate In Kentucky Public High Schools, Rebecca Price

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Kentucky’s Public High School graduation rates vary widely across the rural and urban regions in the state. In addition to their graduation rates, each of these schools have their own unique demographics, funding, teacher-student ratio, etc. that define said school’s identity. This research aims to analyze the aforementioned variables, as well as other variables listed on each school state report card, in order to create a model to predict any school’s graduation rate.

In order to create this model, data was taken on all public high schools in Kentucky from the Kentucky Department of Education’s School Report Card. Data were …

Multivariate Distributions Of Correlated Binary Variables Generated By Pair-Copulas, Huihui Lin, N. Rao Chaganty

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Correlated binary data are prevalent in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including healthcare and medicine. The generalized estimating equations (GEEs) and the multivariate probit (MP) model are two of the popular methods for analyzing such data. However, both methods have some significant drawbacks. The GEEs may not have an underlying likelihood and the MP model may fail to generate a multivariate binary distribution with specified marginals and bivariate correlations. In this paper, we study multivariate binary distributions that are based on D-vine pair-copula models as a superior alternative to these methods. We elucidate the construction of these binary distributions …

Teacher Understanding Of Instructional Strategies In Elementary Mathematics, Erica Boatwright Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Synergizing Elementary School (pseudonym) consistently experiences low state-required mathematics test scores in grades 3 and 4 below district and state proficiency rates in mathematics. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate what instructional practices used by Grade 3 and Grade 4 teachers are, aligned or not aligned, with research-based planning, standards-based instruction, attention to conditions of learning, and professional responsibilities of teachers to support students’ achievement in mathematics. This study's conceptual framework was grounded in Robert Marzano's model of teaching effectiveness called the focus teacher evaluation model. Data for this case study were gathered from semi-structured interviews …

Zn Orbifolds Of Vertex Operator Algebras, Daniel Graybill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given a vertex algebra V and a group of automorphisms of V, the invariant subalgebra V^G is called an orbifold of V. This construction appeared first in physics and was also fundamental to the construction of the Moonshine module in the work of Borcherds. It is expected that nice properties of V such as C2-cofiniteness and rationality will be inherited by V^G if G is a finite group. It is also expected that under reasonable hypotheses, if V is strongly finitely generated and G is reductive, V^G will also be strongly finitely generated. This is an analogue …

Cross-Model Parameter Estimation In Epidemiology, Julia R. Fitzgibbons

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Mathematics Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge And Its Relation To Student Achievement, Michelle Emmalyn Peters-George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students' performance in national assessments of mathematics at Grades 2, 4, and 6 has been a cause for concern in the Eastern Caribbean. Researchers have called for studies to focus on primary mathematics teachers' pedagogies rather than on laptops and curriculum; however, it is unclear how primary mathematics teachers' pedagogical knowledge influences these student’s achievement. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between primary mathematics teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (mathematical knowledge for teaching, quality of instruction, and pedagogical qualifications) and student achievement, measured by national assessment scores in Grenada, controlling for teachers’ age, gender, and experience. …

Exponential Random Graphs And A Generalization Of Parking Functions, Ryan Demuse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Random graphs are a powerful tool in the analysis of modern networks. Exponential random graph models provide a framework that allows one to encode desirable subgraph features directly into the probability measure. Using the theory of graph limits pioneered by Borgs et. al. as a foundation, we build upon the work of Chatterjee & Diaconis and Radin & Yin. We add complexity to the previously studied models by considering exponential random graph models with edge-weights coming from a generic distribution satisfying mild assumptions. In particular, we show that a large family of two-parameter, edge-weighted exponential random graphs display a phase …

Applied Topology Ams 528, Harrison Dekker

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

The Beautiful Math Of Everything And You Included, E. Ozie

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This a reflection on how there is beautiful math to everything. An author's interpretation of matrices and mechanics in its relationship to someone's identity.

Factors Impacting Students’ Perceptions Of Mathematics, Amber Souza

Honors Program Theses and Projects

I want to be able to present math in a positive light to all of my future students, regardless of race, gender, and math background. However, for teachers as a whole to be able to take this important step, they must first develop a deeper understanding of why math is a sore spot for many students.

Sum Of Cubes Of The First N Integers, Obiamaka L. Agu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In Calculus we learned that 􏰅Sum^{n}_{k=1} k = [n(n+1)]/2 , that Sum^{􏰅n}_{k=1} k^2 = [n(n+1)(2n+1)]/6 , and that Sum^{n}_{k=1} k^{3} = (n(n+1)/2)^{2}. These formulas are useful when solving for the area below quadratic or cubic function over an interval [a, b]. This tedious process, solving for areas under a quadratic or a cubic, served as motivation for the introduction of Riemman integrals. For the overzealous math student, these steps were replaced by a simpler method of evaluating antiderivatives at the endpoints a and b. From my recollection, a former instructor informed us to do the value of memorizing these formulas. …

An Exploration Of The Numeracy Skills Required For Safe, Quality Nursing Practice, Anna Wendel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to explore the numeracy skills required for safe, quality nursing practice. Using a descriptive mixed methods design, this study answered two research questions: 1) What numeracy skills do nurses perceive as important for providing safe, quality nursing care in the first three years of practice? 2) How do nurses incorporate numeracy skills into daily patient care during the first three years of practice? Early career nurses from a not-for-profit health care organization in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States (n=109) responded to an online survey tool developed by the student investigator that ranked …

The Decline Of The Mid-Range Jump Shot In Basketball: A Study Of The Impact Of Data Analytics On Shooting Habits In The Nba, Shawn Kilcoyne

Honors Projects in Mathematics

The purpose of this thesis paper is to investigate the strategic shift away from the mid-range jump shot in basketball over the past decade. This paper will cover the rationale for the decline of the mid-range, as well as the general impact of data analytics on the way the game of basketball is played at the professional level. Following a review of the existing literature relating to the use of analytics in the NBA, this paper will analyze the differences in shooting habits between two seven-season periods. Data visualization tools, including boxplots, statistical trends, and distribution plots, will be used …

Impact Of Concept-Based Mathematics Instructional Strategies On Seventh Grade Student Achievement, Katherine Annette Lawley Ellsworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In a nation with declining enrollment in college math courses, it is important to examine how mathematics is being taught in the K-12 education system and to identify best practices. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact concept-based instructional strategies has on middle school student achievement in mathematics when integrated into the traditional mathematics curriculum. Participants included 424 seventh grade students from two middle schools. Students Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Fall-to-Winter data 2018 prior to implementation was used a covariate and Fall-to-Winter data 2019 data during the implementation of concept-based instructional strategies integrated into the traditional …

Perceiving Mathematics And Art, Edmund Harriss

Mic Lectures

Mathematics and art provide powerful lenses to perceive and understand the world, part of an ancient tradition whether it starts in the South Pacific with tapa cloth and wave maps for navigation or in Iceland with knitting patterns and sunstones. Edmund Harriss, an artist and assistant clinical professor of mathematics in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, explores these connections in his Honors College Mic lecture.

Abstract Algebra: Theory And Applications, Thomas W. Judson

eBooks

Tom Judson's Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications is an open source textbook designed to teach the principles and theory of abstract algebra to college juniors and seniors in a rigorous manner. Its strengths include a wide range of exercises, both computational and theoretical, plus many nontrivial applications. Rob Beezer has contributed complementary material using the open source system, Sage.

An HTML version on the PreText platform is available here.

The first half of the book presents group theory, through the Sylow theorems, with enough material for a semester-long course. The second-half is suitable for a second semester and …

Math Active Learning Lab: Math 107 Precalculus Notebook, Gwennie Byron, Department Of Mathematics, University Of North Dakota

Open Educational Resources

This course notebook has been designed for students of Math 107 (Precalculus) at the University of North Dakota. It has been designed to help you get the most out of the ALEKS resources and your time.

• Topics in the Notebook are organized by weekly learning module.
• Space for notes from ALEKS learning pages, e-book and videos directs you to essential concepts.
• Examples and “You Try It” problems have been carefully chosen to help you focus on these essential concepts.
• Completed Notebook is an invaluable tool when studying for exams.

Math Active Learning Lab: Math 98 Notebook, Gwennie Byron, Michele Iiams, Department Of Mathematics, University Of North Dakota

Open Educational Resources

This course notebook has been designed for students of Math 98 (Intermediate Algebra) at the University of North Dakota. It has been designed to help you get the most out of the ALEKS resources and your time.

• Topics in the Notebook are organized by weekly learning module.
• Space for notes from ALEKS learning pages, e-book and videos directs you to essential concepts.
• Examples and “You Try It” problems have been carefully chosen to help you focus on these essential concepts.
• Completed Notebook is an invaluable tool when studying for exams.

Changes And Deltas, Jim Wolper

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Lecturing about Mathematics is like playing Jazz.

Using Departmental Publications To Foster Student Creativity In Mathematics, Zohreh Shahbazi, Parker Glynn-Adey

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This paper discusses the design and implementation of mathematical departmental publications. We argue that these publications foster students’ creativity and written communication skills.

Tactivities: Fostering Creativity Through Tactile Learning Activities, Angie Hodge-Zickerman, Eric Stade, Cindy S. York, Janice Rech

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

As mathematics teachers, we hope our students will approach problems with a spirit of creativity. One way to both model and encourage this spirit – and, at the same time, to keep ourselves from getting bored – is through creative approaches to problem design. In this paper, we discuss ``TACTivities'' – mathematical activities with a tactile component – as a creative outlet for those of us who teach mathematics, and as a resource for stimulating creative thinking in our students. We use examples, such as our ``derivative fridge magnets'' TACTivity, to illustrate the main ideas. We emphasize that TACTivities can …

Virtual Temari: Artistically Inspired Mathematics, Carl Giuffre, Lee Stemkoski

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Technology can be a significant aide in understanding and appreciating geometry, beyond theoretical considerations. Both fiber art and technology have been employed as a significant aide and an inspiring vessel in education to explore geometry. The Japanese craft known as temari, or "hand-balls", combines important artistic, spiritual, and familial values, and provides one such approach to exploring geometry. Mathematically, the artwork of temari may be classified based on whether they are inspired by polyhedra and discrete patterns or by periodic functional curves. The resulting designs of these categories provide an ancient vantage for displaying spherical patterns. We illustrate a …

College Algebra Notes And Exercises (Gcsu), Rabia Shahbaz, Janice Alves

Mathematics Ancillary Materials

Developed as part of a Round 13 Mini-Grant, these updated supplementary materials for Stitz-Zeager Open Source Mathematics and the LibGuides Open Course for College Algebra at GCSU include notes and exercises on equations, inequalities, functions, polynomial and rational functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions are included in one .zip file.

Studies On Polynomial Rings Through Locally Nilpotient Derivations., Nikhilesh Dasgupta Dr.

Doctoral Theses

No abstract provided.

The Perceptions And Experiences Of Math Anxiety, Bradley Baas

Education | Master's Theses

Math anxiety has the potential to negatively impact a student’s knowledge and awareness of themselves. This anxiety leaves students with feelings of incapability in learning math because of their existing beliefs they received in their early years in their educations. The purpose of this research was to better understand the development of middle school eighth grade students and their teachers’ math anxiety while also exploring the obstacles that anxiety creates preventing and/or inhibiting teachers from teaching the required standardized lessons. My research shows that without a trusting relationship between the teacher and student, students experience a decline in mathematics performance …

Beginning Algebra Made Useful, Charlene E. Beckmann

Open Textbooks

Beginning Algebra Made Useful addresses the needs of learners to make sense of algebra by quantifying and generalizing everyday occurrences such as commuting to work, buying gas or pizza, and determining the better deal. It requires learners to actively engage with algebraic concepts through physical and thought experiments in ways that help them connect ideas, representations, and contexts, and solve problems that arise in their daily lives. The text helps learners grow their brains and develop growth mindsets as they learn algebra conceptually. Problem sets continue the process, extending work begun in each lesson, applying new understandings to new contexts, …

Video Case Materials And The Development Of Collective Professional Knowledge, Victoria D. Bonaccorso

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The dynamic nature of teaching means that teachers are making in-the-moment decisions on a daily basis. Video case study professional development can be used as a way to provide teachers an opportunity to analyze real teaching scenarios to prepare to make these decisions in practice. While work has been done to reveal the effectiveness of using case studies as a teaching tool, there has not been research conducted to determine if video case studies can be used to foster the development of collective professional knowledge. This study utilizes a particular professional development model using video case studies grounded in the …

Simplexity Of The N-Cube, Peter Graziano

Mathematics & Computer Science Student Scholarship

Major: Mathematics and Classics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Su-Jeong Kang, Mathematics

The process of dividing shapes into triangles is called triangulation, and it is possible to abstract the idea of a triangle to higher dimensions, where it will be called a simplex in n-dimensions, or an n-simplex. I studied this process of generalized triangulation, or decomposition, in order to find an optimal decomposition of a 5-cube to help improve the bounds on the general case of an n-cube.

Self-Supervised Learning For Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy, Clare Minnerath

Mathematics & Computer Science Student Scholarship

Major: Mathematics and Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lynette Boos, Mathematics

We evaluate the ability of self-supervised deep learning for Poisson denoising of Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) in addition to the impact denoising can have on the ability to locate molecules within the Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy images. SMLM images are predominantly corrupted with Poisson noise. There is a need for a superior technique to provide accurate SMLM images in order for scientists to gain a better understanding of the functions of live cells at the nanoscale. By denoising SMLM images prior to the images undergoing the current state- of-the-art super-resolution …

Application Of Black-Scholes-Merton Model In Option Pricing And Intangibles Assets, Giang Nguyen-Hoang

Mathematics & Computer Science Student Scholarship

Major: Finance and Mathematics

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joseph Shomberg, Mathematics

The Black-Scholes model was developed by Fisher Black and Myron Scholes in the 1970s to price stock options. Since then the model has been suited to price so-called intangible assets such as trademarks and patents. In this paper, we investigate the related Black-Scholes-Merton model and the relevant characteristics of patents in order to associate patents as real options. After describing patents as options, we apply the Black-Scholes-Merton model to the valuation of the intangible assets. Special attention is given to modeling volatility and the cost of delay in order to …