Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents "The Mathematics Behind Sudoku Puzzles" Thursday, October 10

How many possible boards are there in a Sudoku board?  Join integrated math senior Kyle Hronek for a look at the mathematical limits and possibilities of this popular puzzle game.

Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents

The Mathematics Behind Sudoku Puzzles

by Kyle Hronek 

Thursday, October 10

1:40 - 2:30

in Patterson 324

Abstract: Sudoku is a puzzle game that everyone has either attempted or completed. This talk will use  permutations and symmetries from group theory to show you all of the possible layouts of a Sudoku board. We will look at the ordering of grids and squares, to see how many different boards there actually are and determine if symmetries effect that count. We also will take a look at possible patterns within a board and their effects on the board’s permutations. How many possible boards are there in a Sudoku board? What patterns affect the groupings? What is the most and least amount of clues a puzzle can have and still be solved? Join us for an exploration of answers to these questions. Everyone is welcome to attend!

photo: Margie Hill

Classroom Changes

Please note:

The following room changes for Math 305, 218, 223C, and 417 will be effective as of Monday, October 7, 2013 and continue for the remainder of the semester.  

Math 305A (Calculus II)    

meeting time: MWF 1:00-1:50, Th 1:40-2:30 

moving: from PTC 324 to KET 226

Math 218A TTh (Geometry for Middle School Teachers)

meeting time: 1:40-2:55
moving: from KET 226 to PTC 324

Math 223C  (Discrete Math I)

meeting time: MWF 2:00-2:50 

moving:  from KET 226 to PTC 324

Math 417A (Intro to Analysis)

meeting time: MWF 1:00-1:50
moving: from KET 226 to PTC 324

Senior Seminar Presents "How to Move Your Brick Collection," Tuesday, October 8

Senior integrated math major, Megan Raber will show how math can predict different ways to fill a container -- handy if you have a lot of bricks to move.

How to Move Your Brick Collection
by Megan Raber
Tuesday, October 8
3:05 - 3:55
in Patterson 324

Abstract: When given a box to pack with bricks, not everyone will stack the bricks in the box the same way. Some may stand the bricks up, some may lay the bricks down flat, and some may even do a combination of both. When given a box, how many different ways can you place the bricks in the box to pack it? Using direct counting and linear algebra we will create an equation to determine how many ways we can pack a 2x2xn box with 1x1x2 bricks. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Senior Seminar presents “'Proof'ing Sudoku is Fun" on Tuesday, October 1

Senior Jacob Cook will fill us in on how math and logic are used in creating and solving this popular number puzzle.  

Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents

“Proof”ing Sudoku is Fun

by Jacob Cook

Tuesday, October 1

3:05 - 3:55

in Patterson 324

Abstract: Sudoku is a logic puzzle that has grown in popularity over recent years. When we look closer we see that there is math and logic involved in not only being able to define the puzzles, but in solving the Sudoku as well. We will explore proofs of several methods that can be used to find a cell’s identity. There is also a great deal of mathematical defining that takes place when we look at special variants of the Sudoku. Though there seems to be an innumerable amount of possible grids and variations for Sudoku, mathematics can be used to define and limit these variations so they are doable. We see that Sudoku really is math; but it’s not just math, it’s fun! Everyone is welcome to attend!

Problem of the Month Solutions are due Friday

Reminder: Solutions to September's "Problem of the Month" should be turned in to Dr. Swanson by this Friday, September 27.  Copies of the problem were e-mailed to math and computer science majors and left in Patterson 211.  Solutions will be posted.  Good luck!

Senior Seminar Presents "Sailing with Spherical Trigonometry" Thursday, September 26.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, right? Join integrated math major Katelyn Mittelstaedt and find out why that's not always the case.  

Sailing with Spherical Trigonometry

by Katelyn Mittelstaedt

Thursday, September 26

1:40 - 2:30 p.m.

in Patterson 324

Abstract: We’re sailing from California to Hawaii and we want to take the shortest route possible. We will explore the derivation of the Latitude Equation of the Mid-longitude derived using spherical trigonometry. Next we will apply the equation using the coordinates of our locations to calculate the mid-longitudes. The mid-longitudes will allow us to be sure that we are following the great circle path from one destination to the other. Join us to sail the great circle from California to Hawaii and see why the shortest path really isn’t a straight line. Everyone is welcome to attend these seminars!

Math and Computer Science Fall Picnic

Don't forget to join us Sunday evening, September 22, on the Quad for lawn games, food, and fun with fellow math and computer science students and faculty. 

Math & CS Fall Picnic

Sunday, September 22nd 

4:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

on the Quad at A.U. 

Fun, Games & Fellowship start at 4:00 

 Dinner at 5:00