Mathematics Commons^™

Mathematics In Everyday Life: Exploring Practical Applications And Real-World Impact, Priyant Banerjee, Arshad Bhat

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

Mathematics is an essential part of daily life and influences decisions and problem-solving in various aspects of life. This study explores how mathematical concepts are embedded in daily activities such as financial management, cooking, travel planning, and technological interactions. We will show how arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics are applied in real life to improve decision-making, efficiency, and productivity. Findings indicate that people with higher mathematical literacy solve problems more efficiently, especially in budgeting, as accurate calculations minimize financial mistakes and facilitate long-term financial planning. In cooking, proportional reasoning ensures the accuracy of recipes, thus providing consistent culinary results. Travel …

Construction Techniques For Linear Realizations Of Multisets With Small Support, M. A. Ollis

Emerson Authors, Researchers, & Creators

The Buratti-Horak Rosa Conjecture is a problem in graph theory asking when we can find a Hamiltonian path in the complete graph that has various properties to do with edge lengths. In this paper, we use constructive methods to show that the conjecture is true for various parameter sets where it was previously unknown.

Untangling The Classification Of Surfaces: An Accessibility-Centered Perspective On Topology, Charlotte N. Richards

Pitzer Senior Theses

Mathematics has clear benefits in education, from preparing students for future careers to teaching them how to problem-solve. While mathematics achievement has been falling in recent decades, students claim that the problem is not the mathematics itself, but the ‘boring’ classroom material that feels removed from real life. More advanced mathematics topics, such as topology, could offer a solution, as their applications lie in countless fields. However, topology has been restricted to upper-level mathematics, disregarding the potential benefits of making this material broadly reachable for a junior high-school audience. In this paper, we analyze five different proofs of the theorem …

Integrating Sentiment Analysis In Predictive Models: A Comparative Study On Game Popularity On Steam, Khaleefa Alhemeiri

CMC Senior Theses

Over the past decades, the gaming industry has managed to evolve into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Gaming platforms such as Steam foster unprecedented amounts of engagement among players worldwide daily. In this thesis, we investigate the effect of incorporating sentiment-driven metrics, specifically YouTube view counts and positive reviews, into predictive models for game popularity. In addition, by comparing our linear regression sentiment-based approach to the Bayesian hierarchical folded normal model used by De Luisa et al. (2021), we can understand the many differences, strengths, and limitations of each methodology. In our thesis, we focus on three games. Each is of varying …

Spectral Theory And The Gelfand Transform, Brenden Schlader

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The overall goal of this thesis is to study spectral and Gelfand theory as it relates to unital Banach and C∗-algebras. In the first part, we develop the necessary algebraic, analytic, and topological background relevant to the content of this work. We also discuss concrete examples of algebras frequently used in the subsequent sections. In the second part of this thesis, we develop spectral theory by first defining the spectrum of an algebra through the characterization of the invertible and noninvertible elements. In particular, we establish properties of the commutative unital Banach algebra ℓ1(Z). We also establish fundamental results such …

Frobenius And Commutative Pseudomonoids In The Bicategory Of Spans, Ivan Contreras, Rajan Amit Mehta, Walker H. Stern

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

In previous work by the first two authors, Frobenius and commutative algebra objects in the category of spans of sets were characterized in terms of simplicial sets satisfying certain properties. In this paper, we find a similar characterization for the analogous coherent structures in the bicategory of spans of sets. We show that commutative and Frobenius pseudomonoids in Span correspond, respectively, to paracyclic sets and Γ-sets satisfying the 2-Segal conditions. These results connect closely with work of the third author on A∞ algebras in ∞-categories of spans, as well as the growing body of work on higher Segal objects. Because …

Offline Guessing Games With Two Numbers, Justin Sciullo, Lisa Shen, Sarah Zaske

Mathematics Undergraduate Research

In an offline guessing game, there is a player called the Questioner and a player called the Responder. The Responder first picks two distinct numbers from the set {1, 2, 3, . . . , n}. The Questioner then creates a set of questions of the form “How many of your numbers are in the set q_i ⊆ {1, 2, 3, . . . , n}?” and sends them to the Responder who answers them. The Questioner wins if they can guess the Responder’s numbers no matter which numbers the Responder chose. The Responder wins otherwise. We …

Guessing Games To Determine 1 Of Several Secret Numbers, Kyle Mckee, Julia Osmun, Dori Schlutt

Mathematics Undergraduate Research

A guessing game is a two-player game between a Responder and a Questioner. In a guessing game, the Responder is thinking of x ≥ 1 secret numbers in a set S of size n. The Questioner is tasked with asking questions of the form: “How many numbers are in Q ⊆ S?” until the Questioner knows at least 1 of the Responder’s secret numbers. We find a game-winning strategy for the Questioner with minimal possible questions for games with x = 2. We also find lower-bounds for x = 2 and x = 3.

A Bridge Too Low, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article "A bridge too low" in the Physics Teacher journal discusses a low bridge near the River Greta in Keswick, England, with an arch shaped like a semiellipse. It presents questions about the maximum height a person of a certain height can walk under the bridge without hitting their head, the cross-sectional area of the arch, its eccentricity, and perimeter. The article also mentions the approximation by Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan for the perimeter of an ellipse and invites readers to find the answers online.

A Decision-Space Model Explains Context-Specific Decision Making, Dirk W. Beck, Cory N. Heaton, Luis D. Davila, Lara I. Rakocevic, Sabrina M. Drammis, Danil Tyulmankov, Atanu Giri, Shreeya Umashankar Beck, Qingyang Zhang, Michael Pokojovy, Kenichiro Negishi, Alexis A. Salcido, Neftali F. Reyes, Andrea Y. Macias, Serina A. Batson, Paulina Vara, Raquel J. Ibáñez Alcalá, Safa B. Hossain, Graham L. Waller, Laura E. O'Dell, Travis M. Moschak, Ki A. Goosens, Alexander Friedman

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Optimal decision-making requires consideration of internal and external contexts. Biased decision-making is a transdiagnostic symptom of neuropsychiatric disorders. We created a computational model demonstrating how the striosome compartment of the striatum constructs a context-dependent mathematical space for decision-making computations, and how the matrix compartment uses this space to define action value. The model explains multiple experimental results and unifies other theories like reward prediction error, roles of the direct versus indirect pathways, and roles of the striosome versus matrix, under one framework. We also found, through new analyses, that striosome and matrix neurons increase their synchrony during difficult tasks, caused …

A Bridge Too Low: Solutions For Fermi Questions, May 2025, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article discusses a low bridge in Keswick, England, near the River Greta, with an arch shaped like a semiellipse. It presents Fermi questions related to the bridge's dimensions, such as the maximum distance a person of a certain height can walk under it without hitting their head. The solutions involve mathematical calculations and approximations, including the use of formulas provided by the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Existence And Uniqueness Of Solutions Of Fourth Order Iterative Boundary Value Problems, Zach Whaley

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study the fourth-order iterative differential equation \begin{displaymath} x^{(4)}(t) = \f(t, x(t), x^{[2]}(t), \dots, x^{[m]}(t)) \end{displaymath} where $x^{[2]}(t) = x(x(t))$ and $x^{[j]}(t) = x(x^{[j - 1]}(t))$ for $j > 2$. We consider the above equation with multiple sets of boundary conditions, and we state results on the existence and uniqueness of solutions for each set of boundary conditions. In Chapter 2, the boundary conditions are conjugate boundary conditions, \begin{align*} &x(-a) = -a, \ x'(-a) = b, \ x''(-a) = c, \ x(a) = a \\ &x(-a) = -a, \ x(a) = a, \ x'(a) = b, \ x''(a) …

An Examination Of Hilbert Spaces, Fnu Sumaiya

Theses and Dissertations

This independent study focuses on the exploration of Hilbert spaces, a cornerstone of modern analysis and a fundamental construct in mathematics. It starts by introducing vector space, metric and metric spaces and then Hilbert spaces and its properties.

This study includes good amount of mathematical proofs, theorems and examples. Through extensive research and analysis, this independent study aims to offer a comprehensive examination of Hilbert spaces, detailing their properties and their pivotal role in modern analysis.

Math Is Good, Elisa Benthem

Student Work

"There are endless ways we can explore creation, each revealing something wonderfully distinct."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­the beauty of mathematics from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Math is Good

Exploring The Human Side Of Math, Mike Janssen

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Abstract mathematics is an important way to better understand and marvel at the beauty and intricacy of God’s creation."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­experiences in math research from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Exploring the Human Side of Math

A Phenomenological Study Of Persistence For Black Women In Mathematics Doctoral Programs, Shushannah Marie Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the doctoral persistence experiences of Black women mathematicians. Guided by McGee’s fragile and robust mathematical identity framework, the research design followed Moustakas’ qualitative transcendental phenomenological approach. The researcher explored the contributing factors to the phenomenon guided by the central research question, “What are the doctoral persistence experiences of Black women mathematicians?” The study involved 11 Black women participants who hold or were within one year of holding a doctoral degree in mathematics and were selected to ensure diversity and representativeness. Data collection encompassed three methods: a mathematical identity development timeline, one-on-one …

Exploring The Roles Of Genetics, Gender, Nurturing, And Learning Methods In Mathematical Skills Development, Laura Alinani, Jana Shyti

Honors Projects

This research explores the multifaceted factors influencing the development of mathematical competence through a combination of cognitive, psychological, and sociocultural frameworks. The study aims to address how genetic predispositions, nurturing environments, teaching methods, and societal influences interact to shape mathematical abilities. Using insights from genetic research, cognitive psychology, and education theory, we analyze the role of effective teaching methods, such as active knowledge construction and differentiated instruction, in fostering mathematical skills. The study also examines how societal biases, particularly gender stereotypes, impact students' confidence and interest in math. The findings highlight the importance of promoting gender-inclusive practices and early exposure …

Mathematics In Contemporary Society, Patrick J. Wallach

Open Educational Resources

Mathematics in Contemporary Society is the textbook that corresponds to MA-321, the course of the same name. The course is designed to provide students with mathematical ideas and methods found in the social sciences, the arts, and in business. Topics will include fundamentals of statistics, scatterplots, graphics in the media, problem solving strategies, dimensional analysis, mathematics in music and art, and mathematical modeling. EXCEL is used to explore real world applications.

Ideals In Semigroups Of Partial Transformations With Invariant Set, Jitsupa Srisawat, Yanisa Chaiya

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

This paper explores the ideals and their structural properties in two generalizations of the partial transformationsemigroup. Furthermore, principal, maximal, and minimal ideals within these semigroups are elucidated.

Oer Textbook Review For Calculus - Openstax Calculus, Jing Hu Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources Publications

This OER textbook review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the "Calculus" textbook series published by OpenStax. The reviewer, Jing Hu, an adjunct lecturer at Bentley University, highlights the textbook's strengths, including its thorough coverage of essential calculus topics, accurate and well-established mathematical principles, practical relevance, and user-friendly design. The open-access nature of the resource is seen as a significant advantage, contributing to its long-term utility and accessibility for both students and educators. Overall, the review concludes that the OpenStax Calculus textbook is a high-quality, comprehensive, and freely available resource that effectively supports the learning and teaching of calculus.

Diagrams In Involutive Residuated Lattices, Isis A. Gallardo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First, we show that every distributive lattice-ordered pregroup can be embedded into a functional algebra over an integral chain, thereby improving the existing Cayley/Holland style embedding theorem. Using this result, we demonstrate that the variety of all dis tributive lattice-ordered pregroups is generated by the functional algebra on the integers. Additionally, we prove that the equational theory of this variety is decidable.

Next, we establish that DLP is equal to the join of its subvarieties LP_n, where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ⁺, consisting of 𝑛-periodic ℓ-pregroups. We also prove that every algebra in LP_n can be embedded …

Math 75: Introduction To Linear Algebra, Sarah K. Merz

Pacific Open Texts

This text is intended to use in a first course of Linear Algebra with a prerequisite of Calculus 1. Topics covered include systems of linear equations, matrix operations and inverses, linear transformations, Markov chains, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, vector geometry, projections and planes, homogeneous coordinates, subspaces, spanning sets, linear independence, orthogonality, fundamental subspaces, and least squares.

Combinatorial Problems On The Integers: Colorings, Games, And Permutations, Collier Gaiser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of several combinatorial problems on the integers. These problems fit inside the areas of extremal combinatorics and enumerative combinatorics.

We first study monochromatic solutions to equations when integers are colored with finitely many colors in Chapter 2. By looking at subsets of {1, 2, . . . , n} whose least common multiple is small, we improved a result of Brown and Rödl on the smallest integer n such that every 2-coloring of {1, 2, . . . , n} has a monochromatic solution to equations with unit fractions. Using a recent result of Boza, …

Building Blocks For W-Algebras Of Classical Types, Vladimir Kovalchuk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The universal 2-parameter vertex algebra W_∞ of type W(2, 3, 4; . . . ) serves as a classifying object for vertex algebras of type W(2, 3, . . . ,N) for some N in the sense that under mild hypothesis, all such vertex algebras arise as quotients of W_∞. There is an ℕ X ℕ family of such 1-parameter vertex algebras known as Y-algebras. They were introduced by Gaiotto and Rapčák are expected to be building blocks for all W-algebras in type A, i.e, every W-(super) algebra in …

Circling The Square: Computing Radical Two, Isaiah Mellace, Joshua Kroeker

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Discoveries of equations for irrational numbers are not new. From Newton’s Method to Taylor Series,there are many ways to calculate the square root of two to arbitrary precision. The following method is similar in this way, but it is also a fascinating derivation from geometry that has applications to other irrationals. Additionally, the equation derived has some properties that may lead to fast computation. The first part of this paper is dedicated to deriving the equation, and the second is focused on computer science implementations and optimizations.

Khovanov Homology And Legendrian Simple Knots, Ryan J. Maguire

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The Jones polynomial and Khovanov homology are powerful invariants in knot theory. Their computations are known to be NP-Hard and it can be quite a challenge to directly compute either of them for a general knot. We develop explicit algorithms for the Jones polynomial and discuss the implementation of an algorithm for Khovanov homology. Using this we tabulate the invariants for millions of knots, generate statistics on them, and formulate conjectures for Legendrian and transversely simple knots.

A Thesis, Or Digressions On Sculptural Practice: In Which, Concepts & Influences Thereof Are Explained, Set Forth, Catalogued, Or Divulged By Way Of Commentaries To A Poem, First Conceived By The Artist, Fed Through Chatg.P.T., And Re-Edited By The Artist, To Which Are Added, Annotated References, Impressions And Ruminations Thereof, Also Including Private Thoughts & Personal Accounts Of The Artist, Jaimie An

Masters Theses

This thesis is an exercise in, perhaps a futile, attempt to trace just some of the ideas, stories, and musings I might meander through in my process. It’s not quite a map, nor is it a neat catalogue; it is a haphazard collection of tickets and receipts from a travel abroad, carelessly tossed in a carry-on, only to be stashed upon returning home. These ideas are derived from much greater thinkers and authors than myself; I am a mere collector or a translator, if that, and not a very good one, for much is lost. I do not claim comprehensive …

A Brief Introduction To General Topology, Richard P. Millspaugh

Open Educational Resources

The material in this text is intended to be accessible to undergraduates who have had an introduction to elementary set theory and proof techniques. It includes sufficient material from general topology to prove the two main topological results found in a standard first semester calculus course: the Intermediate Value Theorem and the Extreme Value Theorem. This material can be found in Chapters 2 through 6 and makes up the bulk of the text. Rather than approaching these topics through use of the standard euclidean metric, it defines the standard topology on R in terms of the usual order on R. …

Some Hypergeometric Identities And Related Leonard Pairs, Taiyo Summers Terada

Dissertations and Theses

The notion of a Leonard pair was introduced by Terwilliger in 2001 to simplify Leonard's theorem, which classifies the orthogonal polynomials in the terminating branch of the Askey-Wilson scheme. In the same year, Kresch and Tamvakis made a conjecture about a certain ₄F₃ hypergeometric series while studying the arithmetic analogues of the standard conjectures for the Grassmanian G(2,n). The ₄F₃ series appearing in their conjecture is closely related to a family of orthogonal polynomials in the Askey-Wilson scheme. Consequently, the theory of Leonard pairs provides a useful framework for understanding their conjecture.

In …

Struggling To Be Positive Problem Solvers – A Study On The Relationship Of Elementary Mathematical Self-Concept, Gender, Learner Identification, And Productive Struggle Trajectories On Constructed Response Questions When Being Taught With A Standardized Curriculum, Kali D. Rogers

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Mathematical word problems are some of the most difficult problems for students to solve due to their complexity and relationship to real-world situations (Şahin et al., 2014; Verschaffel et al., 2020). With math being known for right-or-wrong answers, these open-ended questions cause much confusion and frustration, specifically for students of various subgroups. In the last several decades, educational teaching expectations have shifted from engaging, self-created learning to robotic and redundant curriculum expectations that induce a ‘teaching to the test’ environment (Shafiyeva, 2021). Mathematics is the powerhouse of where students can experience and succeed with productive struggle learning that teaches the …