Past Events

Math Talks that Past

Speaker: Tom Osler Rowan University
Location: Robinson 305
Day & Time: 11:00- 12:00
Wednesday, September 19th

Title: EXACT VALUES OF THE HYPERBOLIC FUNCTIONS
Abstract:
Students in precalculus courses learn that their are many "exact values" of the trigonometric fucntions. These include sin(n pi) =0, cos(2n pi) = 1, sin(pi/3) = 1/2 and many more. (Here n is any integer.) But the only exact values of the hyperbolic functions examined are usually, sinh(0) = 0 and cosh(0) = 1. In this talk we will show that there are many more such exact values. Surprisingly, these involve the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers as well as the golden section.

The talk should be understood by any good student with only a precalculus background.

Speaker: Dr. Olcay Ilicasu
Location: Robinson 305
Day & Time: 11:00- 12:00
Wednesday, September 26th
Title: A Nonstandard Difference Approach for a 2-Dimensional Singular Perturbation Problem
Abstract:

The Mathematics Department cordially invites the Rowan community to attend
a free public lecture on Leonard Euler to be given by

Speaker: William Dunham
Truman Koehler Professor of Mathematics, Muhlenberg College, PA

Title: A Tribute to Euler

Day: Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Time: 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Location: Rowan Hall Auditorium

ABSTRACT: Among the greatest of mathematicians is Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), whose 300th birthday we are celebrating in 2007. In this talk, we sketch Euler’s life and mention some of his contributions to number theory, algebra, and other branches of mathematics. Then we examine a beautiful Eulerian theorem: his proof that there are exactly as many ways to decompose a whole number into the sum of distinct summands as there are ways to decompose it into the sum of (not necessarily distinct) odd summands. His bold and brilliant argument should give a sense of this towering genius from the history of mathematics.

Speaker: Dr. Sandifer
Date: October 8
Time & Place 11:00-12:00- Sci 126

Title: Proof first, or Example first: What Would Euler Do?

ABSTRACT: Newton and Leibniz disagreed on more than just who first discovered calculus. There was a basic philosophical rift over the way that science and mathematics should be done. Euler was caught in the middle. Echoes of the dispute still ring today, and one forum for the dispute is the question indicated by the title: What should come first, the theorem or the example?

I am pleased to announce that our speaker next week will be Dr. Eduardo Flores from our own Department of Physics and Astronomy...His talk will go at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 Oct 07, in the Planetarium located in the Science building...I hope you can make it...His title and abstract follow...

The Modified Afshar Experiment: Calculation

Eduardo V. Flores
Scott Rozcko
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Rowan University

The Afshar experiment is a relatively simple experiment with results that show a large discrepancy with the revered Bohr’s Principle of Complementarity. This experiment was carried out at Rowan University in its final and published version. We report on the results of a theoretical calculation of an even simpler but equivalent experiment called the modified Afshar experiment. We use Mathematica to get algebraic and numerical results. In this talk we will describe the essence of the problem and also show how we used Mathematica to obtain results. A student with a background in basic calculus would be able to follow the mathematical aspects of the problem.

TITLE:
Some Number Theoretic Programs for the TI-89 and VOYAGE 200.

ABSTRACT: By employing user-defined functions on the TI-89 and VOYAGE 200 hand-helds, one may write simple programs to explore many stimulating number-theoretic concepts. In this presentation, favorites such as twin primes, Mersenne Numbers, Perfect Numbers, the Collatz Conjecture, prime gaps, the prime distance function, and prime decades will be explored. This talk should be especially accessible and amenable to students enrolled in the theory of numbers course as well as courses entailing discrete mathematics, structures of math, and modern algebra that include some elementary number theory in their syllabi. Witness the union of technology and the theory of numbers offering new and exciting explorations for potentially stimulating research as well as partaking in the lighter side of mathematics.

DATE &TIME: October 31th, 11:00-12:00
Location: Robinson 212

SPEAKER: Dr. Michael Morelli

TITLE: Enjoying Euclid’s Elements

We will discuss the joy of reading Euclid’s classical work on elementary geometry. This book was written in the Ancient Greek language about 300 BC in Alexandria, Egypt and is the model for geometry textbooks today. We will also mention some excellent translations and commentaries on this work.
Reading the Elements is an excellent way to learn geometry, do proofs and ask yourself questions about the geometrical assumptions you are making. Also, we will go over some results in chapter 3, which is on circles.
The level of this talk is high school mathematics and people from all levels of mathematical abilities will be able to understand this lecture. We will be raffling off a math book at the end of the talk.

DATE &TIME: Monday, November 12th, 11:00-12:00
Location: Robinson 310

SPEAKER: Paul J. Laumakis

Investing in Your Future through a 401(k)

Abstract. Over the past decade or so, many private and publicly held companies have moved away from providing employees with company funded pensions upon retirement to a retirement system that requires both employee and company contributions to fund an individual’s retirement. These so-called 401(k) retirement plans usually require the employee to choose from among different investment vehicles, including mutual funds, in order to allocate their retirement savings. This talk will present the results of an analysis of the allocation of a lump-sum rollover of money into a typical 401(k) plan, subject to certain restrictions. The mathematics required to complete this analysis includes those topics that are typically covered in an undergraduate course in linear algebra. The talk will conclude with a presentation of a retirement nest egg prediction spreadsheet that I have created to help any faithful retirement investor to estimate their anticipated retirement savings under varying scenarios, so come on by and see what you will be worth 10, 20, 30, or 40 years from now.