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 

Senior Seminar Presents: "Mathematical Epidemiology and Combating Diseases" on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Any good plague thriller movie features a scene where they predict the spread of a lethal Hollywood disease.  At Tuesday's Senior Seminar, biotechnology senior Joshua Allman explains how this works in real life and how the information can be used to combat the spread of disease.

Mathematical Epidemiology and Combating Diseases 

by Joshua Allman 

Tuesday, September 24 

3:05 - 3:55 p.m.

in Patterson 324

Abstract: The field of mathematical epidemiology is dedicated to developing mathematical models that describe how diseases act on populations, and is a critical element in devising strategies to combat epidemics. Mathematical epidemiology played a significant role in the eradication of smallpox. Its significance continues to increase as new resources, treatments and computing power become available to health officials. Some general methods for developing mathematical epidemiological models will be presented along with applications of those models to fight infectious diseases.  All are welcome to attend these seminars. 

Senior Seminar Series presents "The Code to Life" on Thursday, September 19

Have you ever used the internet, a cell phone, or done online shopping? Then you have used cryptography. Join Senior Sara Reidler as she provides a look into the mechanics of these security processes. These seminars are open to anyone with an interest in Math topics.  

The Code to Life

by Sara Reidler

Thursday, September 19 

1:40 - 2:30

in PTC 324

Abstract: Have you ever used the internet, a cell phone, or done online shopping? Then you have used cryptography to get information from one location to another without someone in the middle reading the information. Cryptography is the science of the hidden message, often called “secret writing.” To encrypt your message both the sender and receiver use the same key. This talk will use group theory to explain the process of the Diffie-Hellman key exchange and help us understand why no one can intercept the key in the middle.