Math 450 Senior Seminar presents "Bingo by the Numbers" on Thursday, November 14

Find out how to calculate your actual odds of yelling BINGO! in any given game.  Actuarial Science/Mathematics senior David Devine will guide us through the mathematics of the Bingo card. 

Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents

Bingo by the Numbers

by David Devine

Thursday, November 14

1:40 - 2:30

in Patterson 301

Abstract: Nearly everyone has played the traditional game of Bingo. This presentation will take a deeper look into the mathematics behind this game. Using a geometric probability distribution, we will explore the average number of calls it takes to complete a game of Bingo. Next, we will take a look at the probability of achieving a Bingo on the nth call, and determine how the number of cards in play may affect this probability.

Everyone is welcome to attend! 

Photo by Abbey Hendrickson, Flickr.com, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Math 450 Senior Seminar presents "Car Conflicts Can be Cleared Up with Calculus," Tuesday, November 12

Join pyschology/criminal justice senior Sam Diemer this Tuesday as she explains how calculus could be used to decrease traffic congestion. 

Math 450 Senior Seminar

presents

"Car Conflicts Can be Cleared Up with Calculus"

by Sam Diemer

Tuesday, November 12

3:05 – 4:55

in Patterson 324

Abstract: Traffic affects everyone on a daily basis; it is not only a nuisance, but it is also a necessity. To alleviate some of the issues associated with traffic, lawmakers have consulted mathematicians about how to change traffic patterns. In fact, calculus can be used to determine how traffic laws should be altered to accommodate traffic needs in a particular area. Specifically, we will be addressing the length of a green light at an intersection without an arrow for turning left. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Good Luck to AU Students Competing in ACM Regional Contest this Saturday!

Good luck to our students competing this weekend in the Association of Computing Machinery regional  programming contest at Youngstown University.   This challenging 5-hour competition tests logic and problem solving skills.  It’s a great opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real industry problems. 

Students participating will be Ben Bushong, Kenny Bogner, Kees Edwards, Cameron Goodson, Paul Pernici, and Chris Yocum.  Freshmen observers/trainees Rupesh Maharjan and Nazmul Rabbi will also attend.  Faculty coaches are computer science professors Paul Cao and Boris Kerkez.  

Best wishes for an educational and fun weekend of social and computer networking!

(Photo shows Joseph Hemperly, Cameron Goodson, and Chris Yocum at last year's competition.)

Math 450 Senior Seminar presents "Making Money While Minimizing Risk" Thursday, November 7

Join senior actuarial science and mathematics major Clay Harris and pick up a few financial pointers. 

Math 450 Senior Seminar
presents
"Making Money While Minimizing Risk"
by Clay Harris
Thursday, November 7
1:40 - 2:30
in Patterson 324

Abstract: All investors want to have high returns, but few new investors know how to accomplish this while minimizing risk. We will look at basic probability models for general investing techniques that try to maximize returns for any type of investment. We will also discuss ways to generate smaller positive returns (but with less risk) within the stock market using pricing models based on regression analysis. This approach will make investing seem very easy.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Photo by Nazir Amin, posted on Flickr

Math 450 Senior Seminar presents "Batting Statistics" on Tuesday, November 5

The season may be over, but the statisticians are still working.  Join actuarial science senior Brittney Anderson for a look at the complexities of calculating this basic baseball stat.

Math 450 Senior Seminar
presents
"Batting Statistics"
by Brittney Anderson
Tuesday, November 5
3:05 - 3:55
in Patterson 324

Abstract: Batting averages in baseball are used to determine the chance of a batter hitting the ball. There are different ways to find a batting average - one way is to build a probability model. We will create a probability model to estimate a player’s batting average. We will also look at the different types of bias that can occur because of this probability model. A great deal of logic is involved when determining whether a batter is likely to hit the ball based on their batting average. Although it seems that only basic division is needed to calculate batting averages, we will see that there can actually be much more mathematics involved.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents Stealing Hearts and Stirring Mathematical Debate, Thursday, October 31

It's dichotomous Disney drama! Join senior Jessica Workinger this Thursday for a discussion of the Sleeping Beauty probability problem. 

Math 450 Senior Seminar Presents
"Stealing Hearts and Stirring Mathematical Debate"
by Jessica Workinger
Thursday, October 31
1:40 - 2:30
in Patterson 324

Abstract: This presentation will explore the Sleeping Beauty Problem which is a spin-off of the classic Walt Disney movie Sleeping Beauty. This conditional probability problem has created a lot of controversy among mathematicians. We will analyze the two most common answers and work through the mathematics to discover why one answer is incorrect. Next, we will use a separate, but related, probability problem to discover the real answer to the Sleeping Beauty Problem.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Math 450 Senior Seminar presents "Tangled Headphones: Knot Theory or Not?" October 29

Do you have a little math in your pocket? Senior Stacee King will discuss whether or not Knot Theory applies to those tangled headphones we're always fighting with.

Math 450 Senior Seminar presents

"Tangled Headphones:

Knot Theory or Not?"

by Stacee King

Tuesday, October 29

3:05 - 3:55 p.m.

in Patterson 324

Abstract: Every day we try to untangle our headphones, and every day we get frustrated that our headphones are tied in knots. But there is something that could help: KNOT THEORY. Knot Theory is the study of knots and their properties. We can accurately describe a knot by its embedded image in 2- or 3-space, as well as whether it can or cannot be undone. We can determine if two knots are isomorphic by looking at both their representations in 2- and 3-space as well as looking at each knot’s related Alexander Polynomial. Most importantly for all of our headphone problems, we can also describe some “moves” that would help us to unknot (or simplify) a knot.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Photo: Robert S. Donovan, Flickr