math topics for short research/people or issues

[Teresa Hope]

I have a math lover (ds, 9th grade) who would write and research more readily, I think, if he could do so from a place of interest. I'm teaching beginning MLA documentation with Put That In Writing, and you start with two or three sources, and work on building research skills for essay use. Could any suggest math personalities, past and present or current math application issues for his source material?

 

I am NOT mathy, oh so not!

 

Thanks

[regentrude]

There are many very interesting mathematicians on which he could do biographical research. Euler or Gauss are obvious choices. Evariste Galois is an extremely interesting figure with a very tragic end.

 

Alternatively, he could choose a mathematical topic. Since he probably has not had much math beyond algebra, the topic needs to be accessible. Fermat's great theorem would be a choice; the theorem is extremely easy to understand, has an interesting history (there is a book by Simon Singh about it), but he will not be able to understand the proof.

Other topics would be the four color problem (how many colors are needed to color a map?), classical conundrums like squaring the circle or trisecting an angle.

 

He could also write about a topic in ancient times: Euklid and his approach to geometry (but it would be helpful if he had geometry).

Or: the Sumerian number system

The history of Zero

the invention of algebra

 

or he could write a technical paper explaining certain mathematical operations- for instance the conversion between decimal and binary system

[Jane in NC]

I'll add a couple of ideas:

 

--the Konigsberg Bridge Problem

 

--Paper constructions such as flexi-hexagons, Platonic solids or stellated icosahedra

 

--The Birthday Paradox

 

--Tessellations

 

--Fractals

 

--Book report on Flatland

Edited September 30, 2011 by Jane in NC

[regentrude]

--the Konigsberg Bridge Problem

 

Oh, I was thinking of that one.. somehow forgot to write it down though. It is a lovely problem :)

[Belacqua]

My then-ninth grader did a report about Ramanujan; I knew almost nothing about the mathematician, who had a really fascinating (and much too short) life.

 

If you're looking for somebody living, John Conway is one intriguing guy. His Game of Life might also be a paper topic.

[Teresa Hope]

Thank you for so many great ideas -- all of you. Does it reveal my complete ignorance to tell you I've only heard of a three of our of these concepts?