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Articles 901 - 930 of 1369

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Is Competition Making A Comeback? Discovering Methods To Keep Female Adolescents Engaged In Stem: A Phenomenological Approach, Kathryn B. Notter Aug 2010

Is Competition Making A Comeback? Discovering Methods To Keep Female Adolescents Engaged In Stem: A Phenomenological Approach, Kathryn B. Notter

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The decreasing number of women who are graduating in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields continues to be a major concern. Despite national support in the form of grants provided by National Science Foundation, National Center for Information and Technology and legislation passed such as the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that encourages women to enter the STEM fields, the number of women actually graduating in these fields is surprisingly low. This research study focuses on a robotics competition and its ability to engage female adolescents in STEM curricula. Data have been collected to help explain why young …

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Virtual Manipulatives In The Classroom And Resulting Articles And Lesson Plans, Cheryl Juliana Aug 2010

Virtual Manipulatives In The Classroom And Resulting Articles And Lesson Plans, Cheryl Juliana

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Upon coming across mathematical manipulatives generated and produced by Utah State University, as a math teacher, I conducted a classroom teaching experiment in three pre-algebra classes with students of various achievement levels. After teaching the entire year using no manipulatives in the classroom, I tested my students with a general, end-of-year, core criterion, or cumulative test. Their scores were noted. The students in the study group were then given opportunities to try several manipulatives offered on the "National Library of Virtual Manipulatives," both as a class, and alone, and then retested. The following paper gives the parameters of the study, …

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Perpendicular Ion Heating By Low-Frequency Alfvén-Wave Turbulence In The Solar Wind, Benjamin D. G. Chandran, Bo Li, Barrett N. Rogers, Eliot Quataert, Kai Germaschewski Aug 2010

Perpendicular Ion Heating By Low-Frequency Alfvén-Wave Turbulence In The Solar Wind, Benjamin D. G. Chandran, Bo Li, Barrett N. Rogers, Eliot Quataert, Kai Germaschewski

Dartmouth Scholarship

We consider ion heating by turbulent Alfvén waves (AWs) and kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) with wavelengths (measured perpendicular to the magnetic field) that are comparable to the ion gyroradius and frequencies ω smaller than the ion cyclotron frequency Ω. We focus on plasmas in which β < 1, where β is the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic pressure. As in previous studies, we find that when the turbulence amplitude exceeds a certain threshold, an ion's orbit becomes chaotic. The ion then interacts stochastically with the time-varying electrostatic potential, and the ion's energy undergoes a random walk. Using phenomenological arguments, we derive an analytic expression for the rates at which different ion species are heated, which we test by simulating test particles interacting with a spectrum of randomly phased AWs and KAWs. We find that the stochastic heating rate depends sensitively on the quantity ε = δv ρ/v ⊥, where v ⊥ (v ∥) is the component of the ion velocity perpendicular (parallel) to the background magnetic field B 0, and δv ρ (δB ρ) is the rms amplitude of the velocity (magnetic-field) fluctuations at the gyroradius scale. In the case …

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Parts Of The Whole: Thinking About Variance: Standards, Targets, Tracking, And Other Thoughts, Dorothy Wallace Jul 2010

Parts Of The Whole: Thinking About Variance: Standards, Targets, Tracking, And Other Thoughts, Dorothy Wallace

Numeracy

Variation is a natural result of any process, including education. Understanding how variation propagates and increases is necessary for designing educational interventions that work for the intended population. We show how common strategies such as setting standards and tracking can accidentally produce unintended and undesirable results due to the way variation moves through a system.

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Reorganizing School Mathematics For Quantitative Literacy, Rick Gillman Jul 2010

Reorganizing School Mathematics For Quantitative Literacy, Rick Gillman

Numeracy

This paper offers an alternative curriculum for high school mathematics. It proposes replacing the Algebra-Geometry-Algebra rush to calculus model with one which focuses on improving student problem-solving skills and general quantitative literacy skills while reinforcing basic manipulative skills. Most of these goals are gained by expanding the current single-year algebra-one course into two years. The model proposes moving “learning to write proofs” from the traditional geometry course into a separate discrete mathematics course. It requires statistics for every student, and requires a senior-level modeling course for every college-going student. In addition, the proposed model creates opportunities for students to move …

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Quantitative Reasoning In The Contemporary World, 2: Focus Questions For The Numeracy Community, Bernard L. Madison, Shannon W. Dingman Jul 2010

Quantitative Reasoning In The Contemporary World, 2: Focus Questions For The Numeracy Community, Bernard L. Madison, Shannon W. Dingman

Numeracy

Numerous questions about student learning of quantitative reasoning arose as we developed, taught and assessed the Quantitative Reasoning in the Contemporary World course described in the companion paper in this issue of Numeracy. In this paper, we present some of those questions and describe the context in which they arose. They fall into eight general problem areas: learning that is context-bound and does not easily transfer (i.e., situated learning); the need for a productive disposition regarding mathematics; the connection between QL and mathematical proficiency; the persistence of students, despite our efforts, for using the wrong base for percents; the inconsistent …

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Quantitative Reasoning In The Contemporary World, 1: The Course And Its Challenges:, Shannon W. Dingman, Bernard L. Madison Jul 2010

Quantitative Reasoning In The Contemporary World, 1: The Course And Its Challenges:, Shannon W. Dingman, Bernard L. Madison

Numeracy

The authors describe successes and challenges in developing a QL-friendly course at the University of Arkansas. This work is part of a three-year NSF project Quantitative Reasoning in the Contemporary World (QRCW) that supported the expansion of the course. The course, MATH 2183, began experimentally in Fall 2004 as a section of finite mathematics known informally as “News Math” for 26 students from arts and humanities disciplines. Over the past six years, the course has evolved and now MATH 2183 is approved to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 2009-2010, …

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Advancing Assessment Of Quantitative And Scientific Reasoning, Donna L. Sundre, Amy D. Thelk Jul 2010

Advancing Assessment Of Quantitative And Scientific Reasoning, Donna L. Sundre, Amy D. Thelk

Numeracy

Advancing Assessment of Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning is a four-year NSF Project (DUE-0618599) in part designed to evaluate the generalizability of quantitative (QR) and scientific reasoning (SR) assessment instruments created at James Madison University to four other four-year institutions with very distinct missions and student demographics. This article describes the methods, results, and findings we obtained in our studies. More specifically, we describe how to conduct content-alignment exercises in which faculty members map each item from a prospective test to the student learning objectives taught at the institution. Our results indicated that 92-100% of the QR and SR items were …

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Noncommutative Topology And The World’S Simplest Index Theorem, Erik Van Erp May 2010

Noncommutative Topology And The World’S Simplest Index Theorem, Erik Van Erp

Dartmouth Scholarship

In this article we outline an approach to index theory on the basis of methods of noncommutative topology. We start with an explicit index theorem for second-order differential operators on 3-manifolds that are Fredholm but not elliptic. This low-brow index formula is expressed in terms of winding numbers. We then proceed to show how it is derived as a special case of an index theorem for hypoelliptic operators on contact manifolds. Finally, we discuss the noncommutative topology that is employed in the proof of this theorem. The article is intended to illustrate that noncommutative topology can be a powerful tool …

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Σary, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Mathematics Department May 2010

Σary, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Mathematics Department

Math Department Newsletters

No abstract provided.

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The Life Of Evariste Galois And His Theory Of Field Extension, Felicia N. Adams May 2010

The Life Of Evariste Galois And His Theory Of Field Extension, Felicia N. Adams

Senior Honors Theses

Evariste Galois made many important mathematical discoveries in his short lifetime, yet perhaps the most important are his studies in the realm of field extensions. Through his discoveries in field extensions, Galois determined the solvability of polynomials. Namely, given a polynomial P with coefficients is in the field F and such that the equation P(x) = 0 has no solution, one can extend F into a field L with α in L, such that P(α) = 0. Whereas Galois Theory has numerous practical applications, this thesis will conclude with the examination and proof of the fact that it is impossible …

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Neutrosophic Physics: More Problems, More Solutions, Florentin Smarandache May 2010

Neutrosophic Physics: More Problems, More Solutions, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

When considering the laws of theoretical physics, one of the physicists says that these laws – the actual expressions of the laws of mathematics and logics being applied to physical phenomena – should be limited according to the physical meaning we attribute to the phenomena. In other word, there is an opinion that a theoretical physicist should put some limitations onto mathematics, in order to “reduce” it to the observed reality. No doubt, we can do it. However, if following this way, we would arrive at only mathematical models of already known physical phenomena. Of course, this might be useful …

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2010 Sonia Kovalevsky Math For Girls Day Report, Association For Women In Mathematics, Lincoln University Of Missouri, Donna L. Stallings Apr 2010

2010 Sonia Kovalevsky Math For Girls Day Report, Association For Women In Mathematics, Lincoln University Of Missouri, Donna L. Stallings

Math for Girls Day Documents

Report for the Fifth Annual Lincoln University Sonia Kovalevsky Math for Girls Day that was held on April 23, 2010 from 8:00am to 2:00pm on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.

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Determining The Success Of Ncaa Basketball Teams Through Team Characteristics, Raymond Witkos Apr 2010

Determining The Success Of Ncaa Basketball Teams Through Team Characteristics, Raymond Witkos

Honors Projects in Mathematics

Every year much of the nation becomes engulfed in the NCAA basketball postseason tournament more affectionately known as “March Madness.” The tournament has received the name because of the ability for any team to win a single game and advance to the next round. The purpose of this study is to determine whether concrete statistical measures can be used to predict the final outcome of the tournament. The data collected in the study include 13 independent variables ranging from the 2003-2004 season up until the current 2009-2010 season. Different tests were run in an attempt to achieve the most accurate …

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Predictive Modeling Of Alumni Donor Behavior, Lauren Prue Apr 2010

Predictive Modeling Of Alumni Donor Behavior, Lauren Prue

Honors Projects in Mathematics

In recent years, college and universities have relied increasingly upon the charitable contributions of its previous graduates; as the costs of tuition rise substantially, development offices are facing the challenge of creating annual fund campaigns that are minimally expensive while providing the maximum potential for return. This study addresses the available constituent database at one University in particular in an effort to identify what criteria are the strongest predictors of donor response at a small, private university located within New England. The analysis utilized predictive modeling and data-mining largely within the software program Rapid Insight to build several models in …

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Sequences Of Positive Integers Containing No K-Term Arithmetic Progressions And Smooth Numbers In Short Intervals., Goutam Pal Dr. Feb 2010

Sequences Of Positive Integers Containing No K-Term Arithmetic Progressions And Smooth Numbers In Short Intervals., Goutam Pal Dr.

Doctoral Theses

In my thesis I have worked on two problems:1. On sequences of positive integers containing no k terms in arithmetic progressions.2. On smooth numbers in short intervals.The first two chapters of my thesis deal with the first problem and in the rest of the thesis I have focused on the 2nd problem.In the first chapter of my thesis I have considered the function rk(N) for a fixed k ≥ 3, where, by definition, rk(N) is the cardinality of a maximal subset of N consecutive natural numbers with the property that nork terms of it are in an Arithmetic Progression (A. …

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An Amazing Mathematical Card Trick, Arthur T. Benjamin Jan 2010

An Amazing Mathematical Card Trick, Arthur T. Benjamin

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A magician gives a member of the audience 20 cards to shuffle. After the cards are thoroughly mixed, the magician goes through the deck two cards at a time, sometimes putting the two cards face to face, sometimes back to back, and sometimes in the same direction. Before dealing each pair of cards into a pile, he asks random members of the audience if the pair should be flipped over or not. He goes through the pile again four cards at a time and before each group of four is dealt to a pile, the audience gets to decide whether …

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Mathematical Biology At An Undergraduate Liberal Arts College, Stephen C. Adolph, Lisette G. De Pillis Jan 2010

Mathematical Biology At An Undergraduate Liberal Arts College, Stephen C. Adolph, Lisette G. De Pillis

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

Since 2002 we have offered an undergraduate major in Mathematical Biology at Harvey Mudd College. The major was developed and is administered jointly by the mathematics and biology faculty. In this paper we describe the major, courses, and faculty and student research and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities we have experienced.

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Women And Math Performance: The Effects Of Stereotype Threat, Math Identity, And Gender Identity, Felicia W. Chu Jan 2010

Women And Math Performance: The Effects Of Stereotype Threat, Math Identity, And Gender Identity, Felicia W. Chu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Book Review: Visual Motion Of Curves And Surfaces, Andrei Ludu Jan 2010

Book Review: Visual Motion Of Curves And Surfaces, Andrei Ludu

Publications

This is Dr. Ludu's review of the book Visual Motion of Curves and Surfaces by Roberto Cipolla and Peter Giblin. Published by Cambridge University Press in 2009. ISBN: 978-0-521-63251-5.

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Situating Sotl Within The Disciplines: Mathematics In The United States As A Case Study, Jacqueline Dewar, Curtis Bennett Jan 2010

Situating Sotl Within The Disciplines: Mathematics In The United States As A Case Study, Jacqueline Dewar, Curtis Bennett

Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science Faculty Works

After two decades of work, many in the SoTL community are pondering the future of the SoTL movement. Will it sustain its influence? Will it continue to attract new participants? What role should the disciplines play? From the perspective of mathematics, this paper examines efforts by the Carnegie Academy and individuals within the mathematical community to build disciplinary support for the scholarship of teaching and learning. The authors, both mathematicians and Carnegie scholars, restrict their observations to the efforts undertaken in the United States during the last decade and examine the situation in mathematics in greater depth than has heretofore …

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The Fibonacci Sequence, Arik Avagyan Jan 2010

The Fibonacci Sequence, Arik Avagyan

A with Honors Projects

A review was made of the Fibonacci sequence, its characteristics and applications.

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College Algebra In Context: A Project Incorporating Social Issues, Michael T. Catalano Dec 2009

College Algebra In Context: A Project Incorporating Social Issues, Michael T. Catalano

Numeracy

This paper discusses the development of an innovative college algebra text designed for use in a data-driven, activity-oriented college algebra course, incorporating realistic problem situations emphasizing social and economic issues, including hunger and poverty, energy, and the environment. The course incorporates quantitative literacy themes, is informed by existing college algebra texts within the college algebra reform movement, and implements a collaborative pedagogical approach intended to provide future K-12 teachers an alternative model for the teaching of mathematics. The paper contains a short history of the project development phase, supported by an NSF grant (DUE #0442979), as well as the perceived …

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An Activity Promoting The Practice Of Quantitative Literacy For Pre– And In–Service Teachers Of Mathematics And Science, Timothy L. Sorey, Teri Willard, Duane Sholz Dec 2009

An Activity Promoting The Practice Of Quantitative Literacy For Pre– And In–Service Teachers Of Mathematics And Science, Timothy L. Sorey, Teri Willard, Duane Sholz

Numeracy

The purpose of this article is to describe a hands-on, laboratory activity that provided pre-service teachers in mathematics and science methods courses, and also some in-service mathematics teachers, with the opportunity to exercise quantitative literacy (QL) skills. The focus of the activity is electrical resistance, more particularly the resistance (in ohms) that is painted on small resistors by the use of color-coded bands, one of which is a band for % error. The activity consists of four parts. In the first, student teams familiarize themselves with the code, measure the ohmage of resistors for which the codes are visible, and …

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Intersection Numbers, Embedded Spheres And Geosphere Laminations For Free Groups., Suhas Pandit Dr. Nov 2009

Intersection Numbers, Embedded Spheres And Geosphere Laminations For Free Groups., Suhas Pandit Dr.

Doctoral Theses

Topological and geometric methods have played a major role in the study of infinite groups since the time of Poincar´e and Klein, with the work of Nielsen, Dehn, Stallings and Gromov showing particularly deep connections with the topology of surfaces and three-manifolds. This is in part because a surface or a 3-manifold is essentially determined by its fundamental group, and has a geometric structure due to the Poincar´e-K¨obe-Klein uniformisation theorem for surfaces and Thurston’s geometrisation conjecture, which is now a theorem of Perelman, for 3-manifolds.A particularly fruitful instance of such an interplay is the relation between intersection numbers of simple …

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Hokua – A Wavelet Method For Audio Fingerprinting, Steven S. Lutz Nov 2009

Hokua – A Wavelet Method For Audio Fingerprinting, Steven S. Lutz

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, multimedia identification has become important as the volume of digital media has dramatically increased. With music files, one method of identification is audio fingerprinting. The underlying method for most algorithms is the Fourier transform. However, due to a lack of temporal resolution, these algorithms rely on the short-time Fourier transform. We propose an audio fingerprinting algorithm that uses a wavelet transform, which has good temporal resolution. In this thesis, we examine the basics of certain topics that are needed in understanding audio fingerprinting techniques. We also look at a brief history of work done in this field. …

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Geometric Characterization Of Digital Objects: Algorithms And Applications To Image Analysis., Arindam Biswas Dr. Sep 2009

Geometric Characterization Of Digital Objects: Algorithms And Applications To Image Analysis., Arindam Biswas Dr.

Doctoral Theses

Several problems of characterizing a digital object, and particularly, those related to boundary description, have been studied in this thesis. New algorithms and their applications to various aspects of image analysis and retrieval have been reported. A combinatorial technique for constructing the outer and inner isothetic covers of a digital object has been developed. The resolution of the background 2D grid can be changed by varying the grid spacing, and this procedure can be used to extract shape and topological information about the object. Next, an algorithm has been designed for constructing the orthogonal (convex) hull of a digital object …

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Grades 7-8 Mean, Median, And Mode, Rich Miller Iii Aug 2009

Grades 7-8 Mean, Median, And Mode, Rich Miller Iii

Math

This lesson is a math lesson for seventh and eighth grade students on mean, medium, and mode. Through this lesson students will be able to understand the measures of central tendency and their definitions, how to calculate them and what steps are involved, and how the theories can be applied on real life. In this lesson, students are tiered by ability and are able to pick a project based off of their interest and the math concept they are working on. Each activity has a tiered task card to guide the students.

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Cyclic Shifts Of The Van Der Corput Set, Dmitriy Bilyk Aug 2009

Cyclic Shifts Of The Van Der Corput Set, Dmitriy Bilyk

Faculty Publications

In 1980, K. Roth showed that the expected value of the L2 discrepancy of the cyclic shifts of the N-point van der Corput set is bounded by a constant multiple of √logN, thus guaranteeing the existence of a shift with asymptotically minimal L2 discrepancy. In the present paper, we construct a specific example of such a shift.

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Isomorphism Of Schwartz Spaces Under Fourier Transform., Joydip Jana Dr. Jul 2009

Isomorphism Of Schwartz Spaces Under Fourier Transform., Joydip Jana Dr.

Doctoral Theses

Classical Fourier analysis derives much of its power from the fact that there are three function spaces whose images under the Fourier transform can be exactly determined. They are the Schwartz space, the L2 space and the space of all C ∞ functions of compact support. The determination of the image is obtained from the definition in the case of Schwartz space, through the Plancherel theorem for the L 2space and through the Paley-Wiener theorem for the other space.In harmonic analysis of semisimple Lie groups, function spaces on various restricted set-ups are of interest. Among the multitude of these spaces …

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