Number Theory Commons^™

Numerical And Harmonic Analysis Of Simplex Number Parity, Hunter Dm Hannula

All NMU Master's Theses

The primary object of this thesis is the study of periodicity in the parity of simplex numbers by number-theoretic and harmonic methods. The regular d-simplex numbers are introduced geometrically, arithmetically, and combinatorially. We demonstrate that all sequences indexing even d-simplex numbers are defined by finitely many congruences in a single modulus, and are thus quasiperiodic. We therefore show that these "even index-sequences" are  particular elements in an affine space of functions, providing a natural decomposition result. We then introduce the discrete Fourier transform to construct the periodic parts of each index sequence, enabling the development of explicit forms for the …

Sumset Lower Bounds In Abelian Groups, Van T. Huynh

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates sumset lower bounds across discrete and continuous settings. We begin with general inequalities in torsion-free abelian groups and then specialize to the integers modulo prime p, where we present the Cauchy–Davenport Theorem, which establishes the bound ∣A+B∣≥min(p,∣A∣+∣B∣−1). The equality case is further examined via Vosper's Theorem, which characterizes subsets attaining this bound as arithmetic progressions under suitable conditions. The continuous analogue in Euclidean spaces is then considered, where cardinality is replaced by Lebesgue measure. In this setting, the Brunn–Minkowski Inequality provides a sharp lower bound for the Lebesgue measure of A+B and serves as a geometric counterpart …

Incremental Increases Between Successive Integers When Raised To The Nth Power, Sutton J. Olesen

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

For thousands of years, the beautiful field of number theory has captivated mathematicians with its elegant simplicity. Positive integers continue to reveal properties and relationships that are a joy to uncover, and in this paper, we investigate a pattern involving exponents and factorials while exploring some common notations in the field of number theory. Combinatorics, the field dealing with the mathematics of counting and arranging, also holds a presence in this paper. Pascal’s Triangle–the foundation of binomial expressions, also comes into play due to its tight relationship with combinatorics. Pascal’s Identity, the property that builds the triangle, becomes very useful …

Patterns Within The Collatz Conjecture, Kiel Harrison

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The Collatz Conjecture, also known as 3n+1, one of the most famous unsolved problems in mathematics, has been forever out of reach of being truly solved. However, through the application of traces, there is now a new pathway forward to working out a potential solution. This study shows how this pathway was found, and what steps need to be taken to follow it.

The Intricacies Of Pairwise Modular Multiplicative Inverse In Lucas Numbers, Charles Liu

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Let (p,q) be a pair of relatively prime integers greater than 1. The pairwise modular multiplicative inverse (PMMI) of (p,q) is defined as the unique pair of positive integers (p′, q′) such that p p′ ≡ 1 (mod q), p′ < q, qq′ ≡ 1 (mod p), q′ < p. In this paper, we determine all pairs of Lucas numbers such that their PMMIs are pairs of Lucas numbers.

The Combinatorics Of Integer Partitions Enumerated By Some Exotic Weights, Hunter Waldron

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Identities of integer partitions generally state that two dissimilar appearing families of partitions are in fact equinumerous when both are restricted to any fixed size. Euler's theorem is a classic example of such an identity, which equates the number of partitions with odd parts to the number of partitions with distinct parts. Lately, analogs of known partition identities involving weights other than size have begun to attract research interest. This dissertation is an investigation of two such weights. In Chapter 2, we study Schmidt weights, which count only parts with indices belonging to some given subset of the positive integers. …

Boolean Group Structure In Class Groups Of Positive Definite Quadratic Forms Of Primitive Discriminant, Christopher Albert Hudert Jr.

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

It is possible to completely describe the representation of any integer by binary quadratic forms of a given discriminant when the discriminant’s class group is a Boolean group (also known as an elementary abelian 2-group). For other discriminants, we can partially describe the representation using the structure of the class group. The goal of the present project is to find whether any class group with 32 elements and a primitive positive definite discriminant is a Boolean group. We find that no such class group is Boolean.

Optimizing Buying Strategies In Dominion, Nikolas A. Koutroulakis

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Dominion is a deck-building card game that simulates competing lords growing their kingdoms. Here we wish to optimize a strategy called Big Money by modeling the game as a Markov chain and utilizing the associated transition matrices to simulate the game. We provide additional analysis of a variation on this strategy known as Big Money Terminal Draw. Our results show that player's should prioritize buying provinces over improving their deck. Furthermore, we derive heuristics to guide a player's decision making for a Big Money Terminal Draw Deck. In particular, we show that buying a second Smithy is always more optimal …

Zeckendorf Representation Analysis On Third Order Fibonacci Sequences That Do Not Satisfy The Uniqueness Property, Samuel A. Aguilar

Honors College Theses

Zeckendorf's Theorem states that every natural number can be expressed uniquely as the sum of distinct non-consecutive terms of the shifted Fibonacci sequence (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 5, ...). This theorem has motivated the study of representation of integers by the sum of non-adjacent terms of Nth order Fibonacci sequences, including the characterization of the uniqueness of Zeckendorf representation based on the initial terms of the sequence. Moreover, when this uniqueness property is satisfied for third order Fibonacci sequences, the ratio of integers less than a given number X that have a Zeckendorf representation has been estimated by Dr. Sungkon …

Paley Graphs, Prime Graphs, And Crossword Puzzles, Robert D. Jacobs Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, we will talk about many different mathematical concepts. We will prove theorems about Paley graphs, prime graphs, and crossword puzzles. It will be very fun.

The results in the section about Paley graphs include structure theorems about the subgraph induced by the quadratic residues, the subgraph induced by the non-residues and a few related subgraphs. The main is to better understand the “independence structure” of the Paley graph itself. No good upper bound on the independence number of Paley graphs is known. Theorems about these subgraphs, and various counts aim at future improvement of upper bounds for …

The Vulnerabilities To The Rsa Algorithm And Future Alternative Algorithms To Improve Security, James Johnson

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The RSA encryption algorithm has secured many large systems, including bank systems, data encryption in emails, several online transactions, etc. Benefiting from the use of asymmetric cryptography and properties of number theory, RSA was widely regarded as one of most difficult algorithms to decrypt without a key, especially since by brute force, breaking the algorithm would take thousands of years. However, in recent times, research has shown that RSA is getting closer to being efficiently decrypted classically, using algebraic methods, (fully cracked through limited bits) in which elliptic-curve cryptography has been thought of as the alternative that is stronger than …

Divisibility Probabilities For Products Of Randomly Chosen Integers, Noah Y. Fine

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

We find a formula for the probability that the product of n positive integers, chosen at random, is divisible by some integer d. We do this via an inductive application of the Chinese Remainder Theorem, generating functions, and several other combinatorial arguments. Additionally, we apply this formula to find a unique, but slow, probabilistic primality test.

On The Order-Type Complexity Of Words, And Greedy Sidon Sets For Linear Forms, Yin Choi Cheng

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This work consists of two parts. In the first part, we study the order-type complexity of right-infinite words over a finite alphabet, which is defined to be the order types of the set of shifts of said words in lexicographical order. The set of shifts of any aperiodic morphic words whose first letter in the purely-morphic pre-image occurs at least twice in the pre-image has the same order type as Q ∩ (0, 1), Q ∩ (0, 1], or Q ∩ [0, 1). This includes all aperiodic purely-morphic binary words. The order types of uniform-morphic ternary words were also studied, …

One Formula For Non-Prime Numbers: Motivations And Characteristics, Mahmoud Mansour, Kamal Hassan Prof.

Basic Science Engineering

Primes are essential for computer encryption and cryptography, as they are fundamental units of whole numbers and are of the highest importance due to their mathematical qualities. However, identifying a pattern of primes is not easy. Thinking in a different way may get benefits, by considering the opposite side of the problem which means focusing on non-prime numbers. Recently, researchers introduced, the pattern of non-primes in two maximal sets while in this paper, non-primes are presented in one formula. Getting one-way formula for non-primes may pave the way for further applications based on the idea of primes.

Decomposition Of Beatty And Complementary Sequences, Geremías Polanco

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

In this paper we express the difference of two complementary Beatty sequences, as the sum of two Beatty sequences closely related to them. In the process we introduce a new Algorithm that generalizes the well known Minimum Excluded algorithm and provides a method to generate combinatorially any pair of complementary Beatty sequences.

Structure Of Extremal Unit Distance Graphs, Kaylee Weatherspoon

Senior Theses

This thesis begins with a selective overview of problems in geometric graph theory, a rapidly evolving subfield of discrete mathematics. We then narrow our focus to the study of unit-distance graphs, Euclidean coloring problems, rigidity theory and the interplay among these topics. After expounding on the limitations we face when attempting to characterize finite, separable edge-maximal unit-distance graphs, we engage an interesting Diophantine problem arising in this endeavor. Finally, we present a novel subclass of finite, separable edge-maximal unit distance graphs obtained as part of the author's undergraduate research experience.

Generalized Far-Difference Representations, Prakod Ngamlamai

HMC Senior Theses

Integers are often represented as a base-$b$ representation by the sum $\sum c_ib^i$. Lekkerkerker and Zeckendorf later provided the rules for representing integers as the sum of Fibonacci numbers. Hannah Alpert then introduced the far-difference representation by providing rules for writing an integer with both positive and negative multiples of Fibonacci numbers. Our work aims to generalize her work to a broader family of linear recurrences. To do so, we describe desired properties of the representations, such as lexicographic ordering, and provide a family of algorithms for each linear recurrence that generate unique representations for any integer. We then prove …

Meertens Number And Its Variations, Chai Wah Wu

Communications on Number Theory and Combinatorial Theory

In 1998, Bird introduced Meertens numbers as numbers that are invariant under a map similar to the Gödel encoding. In base 10, the only known Meertens number is 81312000. We look at some properties of Meertens numbers and consider variations of this concept. In particular, we consider variations of Meertens numbers where there is a finite time algorithm to decide whether such numbers exist, exhibit infinite families of these variations and provide bounds on parameters needed for their existence.

(R1979) Permanent Of Toeplitz-Hessenberg Matrices With Generalized Fibonacci And Lucas Entries, Hacène Belbachir, Amine Belkhir, Ihab-Eddine Djellas

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In the present paper, we evaluate the permanent and determinant of some Toeplitz-Hessenberg matrices with generalized Fibonacci and generalized Lucas numbers as entries.We develop identities involving sums of products of generalized Fibonacci numbers and generalized Lucas numbers with multinomial coefficients using the matrix structure, and then we present an application of the determinant of such matrices.

Unomaha Problem Of The Week (2021-2022 Edition), Brad Horner, Jordan M. Sahs

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The University of Omaha math department's Problem of the Week was taken over in Fall 2019 from faculty by the authors. The structure: each semester (Fall and Spring), three problems are given per week for twelve weeks, with each problem worth ten points - mimicking the structure of arguably the most well-regarded university math competition around, the Putnam Competition, with prizes awarded to top-scorers at semester's end. The weekly competition was halted midway through Spring 2020 due to COVID-19, but relaunched again in Fall 2021, with massive changes.

Now there are three difficulty tiers to POW problems, roughly corresponding to …

Structure Of Number Theoretic Graphs, Lee Trent

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

The tools of graph theory can be used to investigate the structure
imposed on the integers by various relations. Here we investigate two
kinds of graphs. The first, a square product graph, takes for its vertices
the integers 1 through n, and draws edges between numbers whose product
is a square. The second, a square product graph, has the same vertex set,
and draws edges between numbers whose sum is a square.
We investigate the structure of these graphs. For square product
graphs, we provide a rather complete characterization of their structure as
a union of disjoint complete graphs. For …

Generating B-Nomial Numbers, Ji Young Choi

Communications on Number Theory and Combinatorial Theory

This paper presents three new ways to generate each type of b-nomial numbers: We develop ordinary generating functions, we find a whole new set of recurrence relations, and we identify each b-nomial number as a single binomial coefficient or as an alternating sum of products of two binomial coefficients.

Introduction To Discrete Mathematics: An Oer For Ma-471, Mathieu Sassolas

Open Educational Resources

The first objective of this book is to define and discuss the meaning of truth in mathematics. We explore logics, both propositional and first-order , and the construction of proofs, both formally and human-targeted. Using the proof tools, this book then explores some very fundamental definitions of mathematics through set theory. This theory is then put in practice in several applications. The particular (but quite widespread) case of equivalence and order relations is studied with detail. Then we introduces sequences and proofs by induction, followed by number theory. Finally, a small introduction to combinatorics is …

Contributions To The Teaching And Learning Of Fluid Mechanics, Ashwin Vaidya

Department of Mathematics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This issue showcases a compilation of papers on fluid mechanics (FM) education, covering different sub topics of the subject. The success of the first volume [1] prompted us to consider another follow-up special issue on the topic, which has also been very successful in garnering an impressive variety of submissions.

As a classical branch of science, the beauty and complexity of fluid dynamics cannot be overemphasized. This is an extremely well-studied subject which has now become a significant component of several major scientific disciplines ranging from aerospace engineering, astrophysics, atmospheric science (including climate modeling), biological and biomedical science …

Irreducibility And Galois Groups Of Random Polynomials, Hanson Hao, Eli Navarro, Henri Stern

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

In 2015, I. Rivin introduced an effective method to bound the number of irreducible integral polynomials with fixed degree d and height at most N. In this paper, we give a brief summary of this result and discuss the precision of Rivin's arguments for special classes of polynomials. We also give elementary proofs of classic results on Galois groups of cubic trinomials.

Determinant Formulas Of Some Hessenberg Matrices With Jacobsthal Entries, Taras Goy, Mark Shattuck

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper, we evaluate determinants of several families of Hessenberg matrices having various subsequences of the Jacobsthal sequence as their nonzero entries. These identities may be written equivalently as formulas for certain linearly recurrent sequences expressed in terms of sums of products of Jacobsthal numbers with multinomial coefficients. Among the sequences that arise in this way include the Mersenne, Lucas and Jacobsthal-Lucas numbers as well as the squares of the Jacobsthal and Mersenne sequences. These results are extended to Hessenberg determinants involving sequences that are derived from two general families of linear second-order recurrences. Finally, combinatorial proofs are provided …

Mathematical Magic: A Study Of Number Puzzles, Nicasio M. Velez

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Within this paper, we will briefly review the history of a collection of number puzzles which take the shape of squares, polygons, and polyhedra in both modular and nonmodular arithmetic. Among other results, we develop construction techniques for solutions of both Modulo and regular Magic Squares. For other polygons in nonmodular arithmetic, specifically of order 3, we present a proof of why there are only four Magic Triangles using linear algebra, disprove the existence of the Magic Tetrahedron in two ways, and utilizing the infamous 3-SUM combinatorics problem we disprove the existence of the Magic Octahedron.

Tiling Representations Of Zeckendorf Decompositions, John Lentfer

HMC Senior Theses

Zeckendorf’s theorem states that every positive integer can be decomposed uniquely into a sum of non-consecutive Fibonacci numbers (where f₁ = 1 and f₂ = 2). Previous work by Grabner and Tichy (1990) and Miller and Wang (2012) has found a generalization of Zeckendorf’s theorem to a larger class of recurrent sequences, called Positive Linear Recurrence Sequences (PLRS’s). We apply well-known tiling interpretations of recurrence sequences from Benjamin and Quinn (2003) to PLRS’s. We exploit that tiling interpretation to create a new tiling interpretation specific to PLRS’s that captures the behavior of the generalized Zeckendorf’s theorem.

The Name Tag Problem, Christian Carley

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The Name Tag Problem is a thought experiment that, when formalized, serves as an introduction to the concept of an orthomorphism of $\Zn$. Orthomorphisms are a type of group permutation and their graphs are used to construct mutually orthogonal Latin squares, affine planes and other objects. This paper walks through the formalization of the Name Tag Problem and its linear solutions, which center around modular arithmetic. The characterization of which linear mappings give rise to these solutions developed in this paper can be used to calculate the exact number of linear orthomorphisms for any additive group Z/nZ, which is demonstrated …

Arithmetical Structures On Paths With A Doubled Edge, Darren B. Glass, Joshua R. Wagner

Math Faculty Publications

An arithmetical structure on a graph is given by a labeling of the vertices that satisfies certain divisibility properties. In this note, we look at several families of graphs and attempt to give counts on the number of arithmetical structures for graphs in these families.