Spring 2001
MT-A125 Seminar in Mathematics: Infinity, the Fourth Dimension, Primes and Chaos: Mathematical Thinking in the Real World
Homework Assignments
Assigned homework is listed here with most recent homework listed first:- Due on Friday May 4: Class project to produce a marketing piece for this class. It should reflect your impressions of this class and also tell other students why they should consider taking it.
- Section 6.6
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9; II: 2 (see p. 501), 3, 5; III: 1
- Section 6.5
- Mindscapes I: 1 -13, 17 - 19; II: 1 - 6
- Use Bob Devaney's "Target Practice" and "Cycle Practice" applets (linked here).
- Due on Monday April 30: A creative project that reflects on the topic of Fractals and Chaos. You can choose to produce a fractal or chaos image, or an artistic impression of a fractal/chaos image. You are also free to express your impressions in any other creative way. Your project should be accompanied by a description which includes a discussion of the mathematics involved in your work.
- Section 6.4
- Mindscapes I: 1, 3, 5, 7 - 10, 15 - 18, 20; II: 1 - 5; III: 1, 3, 5
- To hand in on Wednesday April 25: IV: 1, 3, or 4.
- Section 6.3
- Mindscapes I: 1, (4), 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20; II: 2, 3, 7; III: 2, 3, 4
- To hand in on Wednesday April 11: IV: 1, 3, or 4.
- Section 6.2
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 4, 7 - 10, 15, 16, 17, 19; II: 1, 5, 6, 7; III: 1, 3, 4
- To present and hand in on Wednesday April 4: find a starting pattern for the Game of Life that you like on the Internet (cite the source), and create your own starting pattern; write a page about your pattern and about the Game of Life.
- Section 6.1
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
- Section 5.5
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7, 10; II: 1, 2, 4, 5; III: 1, 3; IV: 1
- To hand in on Friday March 30: IV: 1.
- Section 5.4
- Mindscapes I: 1, 5, 6, 8, 14; II: 1, 2, 3, 10; III: 1
- Section 5.3
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19; II: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; III: 1, 2, 4, 5
- Section 4.5
- Mindscapes I: 4, 6, 9 (use the CD-ROM), 10; II: 1, 2; III: 1
- Section 5.2
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 3, 9, 19; II: 1, 2, 3; III: 4.
- To hand in on Friday March 9: One of IV: 1, 3, 4.
- Section 5.1
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 19; II: 1, 2, 3, 6; III: 3, 4.
- Be prepared to demonstrate solutions to some of these!
- Section 4.7
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8; II: 1, 2, 3, 4; III: 1, 2.
- Read at least Part 1 of "Flatland" by Edwin A. Abbott, available online.
- Read "... And He Built a Crooked House --" by Robert A. Heinlein.
- Due on Wednesday March 21: a creative work of any kind that incorporates your impressions of the fourth dimension.
- Section 3.3
- Mindscapes I: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9; II: 1, 5; III: 2.
- To hand in on Wednesday February 28: First read the questions on pages 174 -175. Write a 300 word reflection on infinity - what are the most interesting or surprising discoveries you made in Chapter 3?
- Section 3.2
- Mindscapes I:1, 3, 5, 8, 10 (11 - 13), 15, 16, 19; II: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7; III: 1, 4.
- To hand in on Wednesday February 21: One of III: 1, 3, 4.
- Section 3.1
- Mindscapes I:1 - 10; II: 1- 5; III: 1 - 2.
- Section 2.6
- Mindscapes I:1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 14; II: 1, 4; III: 1, 2.
- Section 2.5
- Mindscapes I:1 - 10; II: 1, 2, 3; III: 2.
- To hand in on Monday February 12: One of IV: 1, 3, 4.
- Section 2.4
- Mindscapes I:1, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19; II: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10; III: 3, 4, 5.
- Section 2.3
- Work on at least one Mindscapes chosen from each of I:1-5, 6-10, 1-15, 16-20. You can also present something you enjoyed at the prime number web site.
- Work on Mindscapes II: 1, 2, 3, (5 & 6), (10 & III.1); III: 4.
- Write a paper of 300 words or more on one of the open primes about prime numbers. Discuss it's origins and history and any related interesting information. You will need to conduct research in the library and/or on-line. List all sources used. Due: Friday February 9.
- Section 2.2
- Mindscapes I: 1 - 3, 10, 11, 13 - 18; II: 1, 4, 6 - 8. You can also present something you enjoyed at the Fibonacci web site.
- To hand in on Monday January 29: One of III: 1, 3, 4.
- Section 2.1
- Work on at least two of the Mindscapes in section I, one in section II, and 1 in section III. Hint for III.1: continue the sequences JFMAMJ... and ottffs...
- Section 1.4
- Pick out one question from 1-5, one from 6-10, and one from 11-15 (beware that 15 is the hard weighing problem!), and be prepared to discuss and perhaps present your solutions and ideas.
- Section 1.1
- Work on the stories not discussed in class (omit Story 7). You will takes turns presenting your solutions and ideas.
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