Math 105 Project and Project Presentation Assignment

PURPOSE: To solve a meaningful and significant mathematics problem using techniques from this class

THE ASSIGNMENT: (1) Pick a topic. Perhaps you have had one of those “aha” moments in class when you could clearly see (at least for a second) just how one of the topics we have studied is useful in life and could be useful to you. I hope you have. Either way, choose an INTERESTING TO YOU application that uses a math topic from this course.

You may also choose topics from the book that we did not study. A partial list of such topics is on the back.

(2) Investigate and discover just how this application, and the math that goes with it works. Choose one problem from your application to present to the class.

(3) Prepare your work and present your problem and results to the class in a 5 minute (or less) oral presentation. Your presentation should highlight the application and show the calculations.

If your topic was came from a section we studied during class, SPEND YOUR TIME HERE SHOWING OFF (AND EXPLAINING) THE APPLICATION. Your classmates should know how to do the calculation.

If your topic was chosen from a section we did not study in class, spend time explaining why and how the math works. Students will not know how to do these calculations. Still you only will have time to show one problem with both how and why it works.

(4) On the day of your presentation, turn in a one page, typed write up (neat, correct English usage) describing your application problem and showing all necessary calculations. THE BULK OF THIS PAPER SHOULD BE YOUR MATHEMATICS CALCULATIONS. I will correct your math here.

DUE DATES: (See me before due dates to get help.)

By June 3 : Tell me your topic.

June 10: Sign up for presentation time

June 13: Present

Topics that we did not study in class, but that are in the book: Finding volume of prisms and cylinders (Storage tanks is one application.)

Finding volume of pyramids and cones (ancient Egypt and ice cream, etc.)

Way cool math: For a sphere, cone and cylinder with the diameter equal to the height, Vsphere + Vcone = Vcylinder

History of the metric system

Converting in and to metric including using the Web

How to learn metric measure

Dimensional analysis . . . why does 1 cubic yard equal 46,656 in3 ?

Capacity and volume . . . how many cubic feet is a 50 gallon fish tank? (And how long will it take to fill with the hose?)

What is Wolfram Alpha? How can I use it?

Simplifying and organizing financial calculations using technology. Give us your work!

Escher-like tessellations and how to make them

Fractals

Fractals and i (the imaginary constant)

Symmetry in nature and design

Transformational geometry – getting that computer game to look real (Think computer graphics here. Ask your teacher.)

Explain a game of chance (especially poker) using counting theory and probability. (13.4)

Binomial experiments (14.5)

What does probability have to do with statistics? (chapter 15)

Fuzzy Logic in electronics

I could go on, but the page has ended