Jann in TX Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 My oldest is taking a math class at the CC. Her teacher is 'new'--his prior teaching experience includes Pre-School and 9th grade Math... He assigned the CC class a 5-10 page research paper. Here are the ONLY instructions he has given (and he refuses to talk about the assignment in class or out of class!): Choose a topic in Mathematics and write a 5-10 page research paper. Include 5 related problems and their full solutions. This is 30% of your total grade for the class. That is IT! DD needs a topic as soon as possible. Any ideas of something or someone in Math history that would be interresting for a photography major (NON math student) to research enough for 5-10 pages? Thanks for any ideas--she wants ideas from someone OTHER THAN ME--not that she doesn't trust me--but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 How about something basic like Greek, Arabic, or Chinese contributions to mathematics? Any of those should easily fill 5 - 10 pages and have formulas with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyinNNV Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 http://www.mrmartinweb.com/photomath.html Maybe this website will give you some ideas. Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie-Knits Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Mobius? Natural occurance in nature, seen in knitting/art, and even used as conveyor belts! haha Would be a blast to photograph ... artsy. Not sure how the 5 related problems and solutions would go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyThreeSons Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I was sure Jann would have some great ideas! How about something like the Konigsberg Bridge problem and network topology? The related problems would have to have accompanying illustrations, would make for more pages. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Fibonacci numbers - goggle it and you'll find lots of ideas and lots of support at the library. Fibonacci the person Fibonacci sequence all sorts of problems related to the Fibonacci sequence also how it relates to art (Mona Lisa...) and archtecture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie-Knits Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 .. What about the fibonacci sequence? Lots of interesting info around on that. OR I am working on an afghan for my mathie senior to take to college in the fall. It is a design based on the "Curve of Pursuit" - chase theory? http://woollythoughts.com/afghans/pursuit.html What course is she taking? That may help with ideas. I am enjoying the brainstorming! haha It is taking my mind off college decisions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 There are numerous proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem including one that uses paper folding. Another is a proof given by US President James Garfield. A paper could discuss the proofs and use of the theorem through history. Another idea would be to write about the Golden Ratio, also known as the Divine Proportion, and its use in art. The Golden Ratio ties in with the Fibonacci Sequence which others have suggested. How about optics? Has your daughter studied some physics? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 http://woollythoughts.com/afghans/pursuit.html What a fun site!! Thanks for the link. I've been wondering how to incorporate math ideas into needlecrafts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 First thing that popped in my head was Fractals. Or Chaos theory... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted February 2, 2010 Author Share Posted February 2, 2010 Dd was encouraged by your quick replies and suggestions! I had already suggested the Golden Ratio/ Fibonacci Sequence and she immediately asked for more ideas...(what could Mom really know--even if she is a Math major) When she saw that several of you made the SAME suggestion she decided to do some quick research and decided that it would be something interresting to research!.... I'm happy and frustrated at the same time! Thanks again--- This is for a class titled 'Math for College Students'--it contains math history and theory with some business application/consumer maths thrown in... I think she would have preferred a 'plug and chug' type course--but this will be good for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I would suggest going straight into that teacher's office and having a long discussion about exactly what kinds of things he was hoping to have people come up with. Those instructions are VERY vague -- more like topics given to advanced students who have read around enough to have their own particular areas of interest or questions. If you get nothing helpful, take one or two topics from the list people are suggesting or from websites, go back and ask whether one of these would be a good path to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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