Geometry and Topology Commons^™

Normal Surfaces And 3-Manifold Algorithms, Josh D. Hews

Honors Theses

This survey will develop the theory of normal surfaces as they apply to the S3 recognition algorithm. Sections 2 and 3 provide necessary background on manifold theory. Section 4 presents the theory of normal surfaces in triangulations of 3-manifolds. Section 6 discusses issues related to implementing algorithms based on normal surfaces, as well as an overview of the Regina, a program that implements many 3-manifold algorithms. Finally section 7 presents the proof of the 3-sphere recognition algorithm and discusses how Regina implements the algorithm.

Series Solutions Of Polarized Gowdy Universes, Doniray Brusaferro

Theses and Dissertations

Einstein's field equations are a system of ten partial differential equations. For a special class of spacetimes known as Gowdy spacetimes, the number of equations is reduced due to additional structure of two dimensional isometry groups with mutually orthogonal Killing vectors. In this thesis, we focus on a particular model of Gowdy spacetimes known as the polarized T³ model, and provide an explicit solution to Einstein's equations.

Patterns Formed By Coins, Andrey M. Mishchenko

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This article is a gentle introduction to the mathematical area known as circle packing, the study of the kinds of patterns that can be formed by configurations of non- overlapping circles. The first half of the article is an exposition of the two most important facts about circle packings, (1) that essentially whatever pattern we ask for, we may always arrange circles in that pattern, and (2) that under simple conditions on the pattern, there is an essentially unique arrangement of circles in that pattern. In the second half of the article, we consider related questions, but where we …

The Exigency Of The Euclidean Parallel Postulate And The Pythagorean Theorem, Jerry Lodder

Geometry

No abstract provided.

Area And Volume Where Do The Formulas Come From?, Roger Yarnell

Masters Essays

No abstract provided.

Algorithmic Foundations Of Heuristic Search Using Higher-Order Polygon Inequalities, Newton Henry Campbell Jr.

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The shortest path problem in graphs is both a classic combinatorial optimization problem and a practical problem that admits many applications. Techniques for preprocessing a graph are useful for reducing shortest path query times. This dissertation studies the foundations of a class of algorithms that use preprocessed landmark information and the triangle inequality to guide A* search in graphs. A new heuristic is presented for solving shortest path queries that enables the use of higher order polygon inequalities. We demonstrate this capability by leveraging distance information from two landmarks when visiting a vertex as opposed to the common single landmark …

Sisteme Vibrante Trilobice, Florentin Smarandache, Mircea Eugen Selariu

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Schwarzschild Spacetime And Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Cosmology, Zachary Cohen

Honors Scholar Theses

The advent of General Relativity via Einstein's field equations revolutionized our understanding of gravity in our solar system and universe. The idea of General Relativity posits that gravity is entirely due to the geometry of the universe -- that is, the mass distribution throughout the universe results in the "curving" of spacetime, which gives us the physics we see on a large scale. In the framework of General Relativity, we find that the universe behaves differently than was predicted in the model of gravitation developed by Newton. We will derive the general relativistic model for a simple system near a …

Probleme De Geometrie Și Trigonometrie, Compilate Și Rezolvate, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

How Do They Know It Is A Parallelogram? Analysing Geometric Discourse At Van Hiele Level 3, Sasha Wang, Margaret Kinzel

Mathematics Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this article, we introduce Sfard's discursive framework and use it to investigate prospective teachers' geometric discourse in the context of quadrilaterals. In particular, we focus on describing and analysing two participants' use of mathematical words and substantiation routines related to parallelograms and their properties at van Hiele level 3 thinking. Our findings suggest that a single van Hiele level of thinking encompasses a range of complexity of reasoning and differences in discourse and thus a deeper investigation of students' mathematical thinking within assigned van Hiele levels is warranted.

A Kleinian Approach To Fundamental Regions, Joshua L. Hidalgo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis takes a Kleinian approach to hyperbolic geometry in order to illustrate the importance of discrete subgroups and their fundamental domains (fundamental regions). A brief history of Euclids Parallel Postulate and its relation to the discovery of hyperbolic geometry be given first. We will explore two models of hyperbolic $n$-space: $U^n$ and $B^n$. Points, lines, distances, and spheres of these two models will be defined and examples in $U^2$, $U^3$, and $B^2$ will be given. We will then discuss the isometries of $U^n$ and $B^n$. These isometries, known as M\"obius transformations, have special properties and turn out to be …

Hyperbolicity Equations For Knot Complements, Christopher Martin Jacinto

Theses Digitization Project

This study analyzes Carlo Petronio's paper, An Algorithm Producing Hyperbolicity Equations for a Link Complement in S³. Using the figure eight knot as an example, we will explain how Petronio's algorithm was able to decompose the knot complement of an alternating knot into tetrahedra. Then, using the vertex invariants of these tetrahedra, we will explain how Petronio was able to create hyperbolicity equations.

Elementary College Geometry, Henry Africk

Open Educational Resources

This text is intended for a brief introductory course in plane geometry. It covers the topics from elementary geometry that are most likely to be required for more advanced mathematics courses. The only prerequisite is a semester of algebra.

The emphasis is on applying basic geometric principles to the numerical solution of problems. For this purpose the number of theorems and definitions is kept small. Proofs are short and intuitive, mostly in the style of those found in a typical trigonometry or precalculus text. There is little attempt to teach theorem-proving or formal methods of reasoning. However the topics are …

Degree Constrained Triangulation, Roshan Gyawali

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Triangulation of simple polygons or sets of points in two dimensions is a widely investigated problem in computational geometry. Some researchers have considered variations of triangulation problems that include minimum weight triangulation, de-launay triangulation and triangulation refinement. In this thesis we consider a constrained version of the triangulation problem that asks for triangulating a given domain (polygon or point sites) so that the resulting triangulation has an increased number of even degree vertices. This problem is called Degree Constrained Triangulation (DCT). We propose four algorithms to solve DCT problems. We also present experimental results based on the implementation of the …

Modeling Spatial Uncertainties In Geospatial Data Fusion And Mining, Boris Kovalerchuk, Leonid Perlovsky, Michael Kovalerchuk

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Geospatial data analysis relies on Spatial Data Fusion and Mining (SDFM), which heavily depend on topology and geometry of spatial objects. Capturing and representing geometric characteristics such as orientation, shape, proximity, similarity, and their measurement are of the highest interest in SDFM. Representation of uncertain and dynamically changing topological structure of spatial objects including social and communication networks, roads and waterways under the influence of noise, obstacles, temporary loss of communication, and other factors. is another challenge. Spatial distribution of the dynamic network is a complex and dynamic mixture of its topology and geometry. Historically, separation of topology and geometry …

The Geometry Of Homological Triangles, Florentin Smarandache, Ion Patrascu

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

This book is addressed to students, professors and researchers of geometry, who will find herein many interesting and original results. The originality of the book The Geometry of Homological Triangles consists in using the homology of triangles as a “filter” through which remarkable notions and theorems from the geometry of the triangle are unitarily passed. Our research is structured in seven chapters, the first four are dedicated to the homology of the triangles while the last ones to their applications. In the first chapter one proves the theorem of homological triangles (Desargues, 1636), one survey the remarkable pairs of homological …

Curd, Spencer, 1788-1832 (Sc 966), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 966. Ciphering book (94 p.), focusing chiefly on surveying and navigating rules for solving problems as well as giving specific problems, of Spencer Curd, Logan County, Kentucky, with accompanying genealogical data.

A Space-Filling, Nonregular Tetrahedron, Margaret Cagle, Joyce Frost, Christine Latulippe, Darryl H. Yong

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

This activity is an investigation of a special nonregular tetrahedron that can be arranged to fill space without leaving any internal gaps in the same way that certain planar figures tessellate the plane. These tetrahedra can be connected together with hinges to make fun and interesting puzzles. More background information can be found in the paper "An Amazing, Space-Filling, Non-Regular Tetrahedron" by Joyce Frost and Peg Cagle, published by the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (available at mathforum.org/pcmi/hstp/resources/dodeca/).

A Locus Construction In The Hyperbolic Plane For Elliptic Curves With Cross-Ratio On The Unit Circle, Lyudmila Shved

Theses Digitization Project

This project demonstrates how an elliptic curve f defined by invariance under two involutions can be represented by the locus of circumcenters of isosceles triangles in the hyperbolic plane, using inversive model.

Geodesics Of Surface Of Revolution, Wenli Chang

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to study the differential geometry of curves and surfaces in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Some important concepts such as, Curvature, Fundamental Form, Christoffel symbols, and Geodesic Curvature and equations are explored.

The Mathematical Landscape, Antonio Collazo

CMC Senior Theses

The intent of this paper is to present the reader will enough information to spark a curiosity in to the subject.  By no means is the following a complete formulation of any of the topics covered.  I want to give the reader a tour of the mathematical landscape.  There are plenty of further details to explore in each section, I have just touched the tip the iceberg.  The work is basically in four sections: Numbers, Geometry, Functions, Sets and Logic, which are the basic building blocks of Math.  The first sections are a exposition into the mathematical objects and their …

Problems With And Without … Problems!, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

This book is addressed to College honor students, researchers, and professors. It contains 136 original problems published by the author in various scientific journals around the world. The problems could be used to preparing for courses, exams, and Olympiads in mathematics. Many of these have a generalized form. For each problem we provide a detailed solution.

I was a professeur coopérant between 1982-1984, teaching mathematics in French language at Lycée Sidi EL Hassan Lyoussi in Sefrou, Province de Fès, Morocco. I used many of these problems for selecting and training, together with other Moroccan professors, in Rabat city, of the …

Symmetry From Nature To The Classroom, Rochelle Lueders

Honors Capstones

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

The Composition Of Split Inversions On The Hyperbolic Plane, Robert James Amundson

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the project is to examine the action of the composition of split inversions on the hyperbolic plane, H². The model that is used is the poincoŕe disk.

Using Non-Euclidean Geometry In The Euclidean Classroom, Kelli Jean Wasserman

Theses Digitization Project

This study is designed to explore the ramifications of supplementing the basic Euclidean geometry, with spherical geometry, a non-Eugledian geometry curriculum. This project examined different aspects of the impact of spherical geometry on the high school geometry classroom.

Some Curious Cut-Ups, Jeremiah Farrell, Ivan Moscovich

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

We have noticed a certain kind of n-gon dissection into triangles that has a wonderful property of interest to most puzzlists. Namely that any two triangles have at least one edge in common yet no two triangles need be congruent. In an informal poll of specialists at a recent convention, none of them saw immediately how this could be accomplished. But in fact it is very straightforward.

Empirical Development Of An Instructional Product And Its Impact On Mastery Of Geometry Concepts, Donaldson Williams

Dissertations

Problem

Relatively poor levels of mathematical thinking among American school children have been identified as a major issue over the past half century. Many efforts have been made to increase the mathematics performance of children in schools. Additionally, out-of-school-time programs have attempted to address this issue as well. Holistic development is one of the distinguishing features of Seventh-day Adventist instructional programs. Yet, as of 2007, the Pathfinder program, an informal educational program operated by the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist church, had no instructional product designed to foster participants’ cognitive development in mathematics. This study focused on the empirical development of an …

Metrology And Proportion In The Ecclesiastical Architecture Of Medieval Ireland, Avril Behan, Rachel Moss

Conference Papers

The aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which detailed empirical analysis of the metrology and proportional systems used in the design of Irish ecclesiastical architecture can be analysed to provide historical information not otherwise available. Focussing on a relatively limited sample of window tracery designs as a case study, it will first set out to establish what, if any, systems were in use, and then what light these might shed on the background, training and work practices of the masons, and, by association, the patrons responsible for employing them.

Tessellations Of The Hyperbolic Plane, Roberto Carlos Soto

Theses Digitization Project

In this thesis, the two models of hyperbolic geometry, properties of hyperbolic geometry, fundamental regions created by Fuchsian groups, and the tessellations that arise from such groups are discussed.

Minimal Surfaces, Maria Guadalupe Chaparro

Theses Digitization Project

The focus of this project consists of investigating when a ruled surface is a minimal surface. A minimal surface is a surface with zero mean curvature. In this project the basic terminology of differential geometry will be discussed including examples where the terminology will be applied to the different subjects of differential geometry. In addition the focus will be on a classical theorem of minimal surfaces referred to as the Plateau's Problem.