Algebra Commons^™

Al-Khwarizmi: Founder Of Classical Algebra, Calvin Jongsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Adopting a historically defensible definition of “algebra,” we will begin by exploring a few examples of algebra prior to al-Khwarizmi. We will then examine what algebra became through al-Khwarizmi’s work. In conclusion, we will assess the historical importance of al-Khwarizmi’s contributions for developments in European algebra.

Finances & Algebra Too!, Anne J. Catlla, Jonathan Foster, Charlene Frazier

Arthur Vining Davis High Impact Fellows Projects

The focus of this project is to provide an application-based approach to teaching algebra 2. Students will study algebraic concepts and functions through the lens of personal finance. After each unit of study, students will complete a financial application project that will go into each student’s “financial” portfolio.

Propeller, Joel Kahn

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This image is based on several different algorithms interconnected within a single program in the language BASIC-256. The fundamental structure involves a tightly wound spiral working outwards from the center of the image. As the spiral is drawn, different values of red, green and blue are modified through separate but related processes, producing the changing appearance. Algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and analytic geometry are all utilized in overlapping ways within the program. As with many works of algorithmic art, small changes in the program can produce dramatic alterations of the visual output, which makes lots of variations possible.

An Analysis Of Differences In Approaches To Systems Of Linear Equations Problems Given Multiple Choice Answers, Amber Lagasse

Honors Theses and Capstones

This descriptive study focuses on the approaches college students (ages 20 -24) use when solving systems of linear equations problems that have multiple choice answers. Participants were from a midsize public university in the northeast. Four approaches were considered – three forwards approaches: 1) substitution, 2) elimination, and 3) graphing, and one backwards approach: plugging in the x and y values from each multiple choice option. Participants solved systems of linear equations problems and answered questions based on their methods in a structured clinical interview. Each participant also filled out a questionnaire. It was shown from the results of this …

Cognitively Guided Instruction (Cgi): Whats The Point? A Look Into Cgi And Cgi’S Potential Role In An 8th Grade Mathematics Class, Bryan C. Anderson

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examined the current research that exists on Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and how it would look when implemented into an 8th grade mathematics classroom. Additional questions examined are if CGI would develop strong student understanding between mathematical concepts and their real world applications; if CGI techniques and questioning impact the interest level of mathematics students; and what type of extra resources would be needed by teachers to implement Cognitively Guided Instruction into their curriculum. Although much of the CGI research has been done on elementary students, by also examining key algebra practices the author was able to synthesize …

Characterizing And Supporting Change In Algebra Students' Representational Fluency In A Cas/Paper-And-Pencil Environment, Nicole L. Fonger

Dissertations

Representational fluency (RF) includes an ability to interpret, create, move within and among, and connect tool-based representations of mathematical objects. Taken as an indicator of conceptual understanding, there is a need to better support school algebra students’ RF in learning environments that utilize both computer algebra systems (CAS) and paper-and-pencil. The purpose of this research was to: (a) characterize change in ninth-grade algebra students’ RF in solving problems involving linear equations, and (b) determine conditions of a CAS and paper-and-pencil learning environment in which those students changed their RF.

Change in RF was measured by comparing results from initial to …

The Rook-Brauer Algebra, Elise G. Delmas

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

We introduce an associative algebra RB_k(x) that has a basis of rook-Brauer diagrams. These diagrams correspond to partial matchings on 2k vertices. The rook-Brauer algebra contains the group algebra of the symmetric group, the Brauer algebra, and the rook monoid algebra as subalgebras. We show that the basis of RB_k(x) is generated by special diagrams s_i, t_i (1 <= i < k) and p_j (1 <= j <= k), where the s_i are the simple transpositions that generated the symmetric group S_k, the t_i are the "contraction maps" which generate the …

Analyzing Common Algebra-Related Misconceptions And Errors Of Middle School Students., Sarah B. Bush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine common algebra-related misconceptions and errors of middle school students. In recent years, success in Algebra I is often considered the mathematics gateway to graduation from high school and success beyond. Therefore, preparation for algebra in the middle grades is essential to student success in Algebra I and high school. This study examines the following research question: What common algebra-related misconceptions and errors exist among students in grades six and eight as identified on student responses on an annual statewide standardized assessment? In this study, qualitative document analysis of existing data was used …

Much More Than Symbolics: The Early History Of Algebra And Its Significance For Introductory Algebra Education, Calvin Jongsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

No abstract provided.

Information-Preserving Structures: A General Framework For Quantum Zero-Error Information, Robin Blume-Kohout, Hui Khoon Ng, David Poulin, Lorenza Viola

Dartmouth Scholarship

Quantum systems carry information. Quantum theory supports at least two distinct kinds of information (classical and quantum), and a variety of different ways to encode and preserve information in physical systems. A system’s ability to carry information is constrained and defined by the noise in its dynamics. This paper introduces an operational framework, using information-preserving structures, to classify all the kinds of information that can be perfectly (i.e., with zero error) preserved by quantum dynamics. We prove that every perfectly preserved code has the same structure as a matrix algebra, and that preserved information can always be corrected. We …

Assessing The Impact Of A Computer-Based College Algebra Course, Ningjun Ye

Dissertations

USM piloted the Math Zone in Spring 2007, a computer-based program in teaching MAT 101and MAT 099 in order to improve student performance. This research determined the effect of the re-design of MAT 101 on student achievements in comparison to a traditional approach to the same course. Meanwhile, the study investigated possible effects of the Math Zone program on students’ attitude toward studying mathematics.

This study shows that there was no statistically significant difference on MAT101 final exam scores between the Math Zone students and the Classroom students in Fall 2007, Spring 2008 and Fall 2008. At the same time, …

Proposed Problems Of Mathematics (Vol. Ii), Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The first book of “Problèmes avec et sans … problèmes!” was published in Morocco in 1983. I collected these problems that I published in various Romanian or foreign magazines (amongst which: “Gazeta Matematică”, magazine which formed me as problem solver, “American Mathematical Monthly”, “Crux Mathematicorum” (Canada), “Elemente der Mathematik” (Switzerland), “Gaceta Matematica” (Spain), “Nieuw voor Archief” (Holland), etc. while others are new proposed problems in this second volume.

These have been created in various periods: when I was working as mathematics professor in Romania (1984-1988), or co-operant professor in Morocco (1982-1984), or emigrant in the USA (1990-1997). I thank to …

A Comparison Theorem For The Topological And Algebraic Classification Of Quaternionic Toric 8-Manifolds, Piotr Runge

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In order to discuss topological properties of quaternionic toric 8-manifolds, we introduce the notion of an algebraic morphism in the category of toric spaces. We show that the classification of quaternionic toric 8-manifolds with respect to an algebraic isomorphism is finer than the oriented topological classification. We construct infinite families of quaternionic toric 8-manifolds in the same oriented homeomorphism type but algebraically distinct. To prove that the elements within each family are of the same oriented homeomorphism type, and that we have representatives of all such types of a quaternionic toric 8-manifold, we present and use a method of evaluating …

There Are Only Four, Danielle Josette Mccoy

Theses Digitization Project

This paper is an investigation of finite-dimensional normed algebras over the reals from both an abstract and concrete point of view.

Cooperative Learning In The Mathematics Classroom, Janine Regnier

Mathematics Graduate Theses

Student interactions are important which provokes the idea that cooperative learning should be incorporated into classrooms. Research states many benefits for incorporating cooperative learning and are included in the literature review. Cooperative groups were introduced and studied by the author, who ultimately concluded that cooperative learning does have a place in Mathematics classrooms and should be used when the lesson lends itself to a cooperative environment. The study results can be found in this paper following the literature review.

Chinese Remainder Theorem And Its Applications, Jacquelyn Ha Lac

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

N- Linear Algebra Of Type I And Its Applications, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

With the advent of computers one needs algebraic structures that can simultaneously work with bulk data. One such algebraic structure namely n-linear algebras of type I are introduced in this book and its applications to n-Markov chains and n-Leontief models are given. These structures can be thought of as the generalization of bilinear algebras and bivector spaces. Several interesting n-linear algebra properties are proved. This book has four chapters. The first chapter just introduces n-group which is essential for the definition of nvector spaces and n-linear algebras of type I. Chapter two gives the notion of n-vector spaces and several …

Torsion-Free Groups And Modules With The Involution Property, Brendan Goldsmith, C. Meehan, S.L. Wallutis

Articles

An Abelian group or module is said to have the involution property if every endomorphism is the sum of two automorphisms, one of which is an involution. We investigate this property for completely decomposable torsion-free Abelian groups and modules over the ring of -adic integers.

On T-Pure And Almost Pure Exact Sequences Of Lca Groups, Peter Loth

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A proper short exact sequence in the category of locally compact abelian groups is said to be t-pure if φ(A) is a topologically pure subgroup of B, that is, if for all positive integers n. We establish conditions under which t-pure exact sequences split and determine those locally compact abelian groups K ⊕ D (where K is compactly generated and D is discrete) which are t-pure injective or t-pure projective. Calling the extension (*) almost pure if for all positive integers n, we obtain a complete description of the almost pure injectives and almost pure projectives in the category of …

The Classical Dirichlet Space, William T. Ross

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this survey paper, we will present a selection of results concerning the class of analytic functions f on the open unit disk D := {z ϵ C : │z│ < 1} which have finite Dirichlet integral.

Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinates, Lindsey J. Bromenshenkel

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

The Solvability Of Polynomials By Radicals: A Search For Unsolvable And Solvable Quintic Examples, Robert Lewis Beyronneau

Theses Digitization Project

This project centers around finding specific examples of quintic polynomials that were and were not solvable. This helped to devise a method for finding examples of solvable and unsolvable quintics.

Compact Topologically Torsion Elements Of Topological Abelian Groups, Peter Loth

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this note, we prove that in a Hausdorff topological abelian group, the closed subgroup generated by all compact elements is equal to teh closed subgroup generated by all compact elements which are topologically p-torsion for some prime p. In particular, this yields a new, short solution to a question raised by Armacost [A]. Using Pontrjagin duality, we obtain new descriptions of the identity component of a locally compact abelian group.

Common Cyclic Vectors For Normal Operators, William T. Ross, Warren R. Wogen

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

If μis a finite compactly supported measure on C, then the set S_μ of multiplication operators Mᵩ : L² (μ) --> L² (μ), Mᵩ f = ᵩ f, where ᵩ ϵ L ∞ (μ) is injective on a set of full μ measure, is the complete set of cyclic multiplication operators on L² (μ) In this paper, we explore the question as to whether or not S_μ has a common cyclic vector

Mathematical Card Tricks, Sarah Zimmermann

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Journaling In The Secondary Mathematics Classroom: An Introduction, Defense, And Resource, Emily K. Falgier

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Solutions To The Chinese Postman Problem, Kenneth Peter Cramm

Theses Digitization Project

Considering the Chinese Postman Problem, in which a mailman must deliver mail to houses in a neighborhood. The mailman must cover each side of the street that has houses, at least once. The focus of this paper is our attempt to discover the optimal path, or the least number of times each street is walked. The integration of algorithms from graph theory and operations research form the method used to explain solutions to the Chinese Postman Problem.

Algebra În Exercijii Şi Probleme Pentru Liceu, Florentin Smarandache, Ion Goian, Raisa Grigor, Vasila Marin

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Characterizing The Strong Two-Generators Of Certain Noetherian Domains, Ellen Yvonne Green

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Presentations Of Direct Products Of Metacyclic Groups, Jared Everett Derksen

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.