Off on a Tangent
|
A Fortnightly Electronic
Newsletter from the Hope
College Department of Mathematics
|
Title:
|
Actuaries:
the Best-kept Secret in Business
|
Speaker:
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Prof. Curtis
Huntington, University of Michigan |
Time:
|
Wednesday,
March 26 at
4:00 p.m.
|
Place:
|
VWF
238
|
Abstract: The actuarial
profession is at the intersection of mathematics and the world of
business. It provides students who love mathematics and the study
of risk an opportunity to work in the real world of finance and
business while serving society. Learn how you prepare to become
an actuary and what to expect once you graduate. The actuarial
field is consistently rated as one of the top five jobs in the United
States - it may provide the right answer for you as you select a future
career.
Last day
to register for the Lower
Michigan Mathematics Competition
|
| Contest Date: |
Saturday,
April 5 |
Location:
|
Lawrence
Technological University in Southfield, Michigan
|
How to Register:
|
Sign up on
the sheet on Prof. Edwards Door (VWF 218) or email her at
sedwards@hope.edu
|
| Registration Deadline: |
Wednesday,
March 26 |
The 32nd Annual Lower Michigan
Mathematics Competition will be held
at Lawrence Tech this year on Saturday, April 5. Students
from colleges and universities in Michigan will gather there to
challenge themselves on 10 interesting problems, working together in
teams of up to three people. The competition runs from 9:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. After the problem session in the morning, there will be a
break for lunch followed by a solutions session in the afternoon.
Registration is free and students in Math 131 and up are encouraged to
participate. Interested students may sign up individually or in teams.
The deadline for registering is Wednesday,
March 26.
Hope has a history of strong showings at
the LMMC, including several
championships, and we'd like to regain the title this year and bring
the Klein Bottle Trophy back to Hope!
Next
week's colloquium is on Outer Billiards
|
Title:
|
Outer
Billiards
|
Speaker:
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Prof. Filiz
Dogru, Grand Valley State University
|
Time:
|
Thursday,
April 3 at
4:00 p.m.
|
Place:
|
VWF
238
|
Abstract: Outer billiards is a
simple dynamical system in the plane based on a convex shape. B.H.
Neumann introduced outer billiards in the 1950s and J. Moser
popularized it in the 1970s.
In this talk Prof. Dogru shall present a brief history and developments
of the subject. She will also discuss selected recent results of
periodic and non-periodic orbits in polygonal outer billiards.
The
Problem of the Fortnight
|
The
problem of the fortnight involves a towering exponential. We hope
you construct a solution that is on a more solid foundation than the
engineers at Pisa did!
Calculate the derivative with respect to x of the function
[To
be clear, the function is x
to the x to the x.] Write your solution on
the back of a picture of a famous tower and drop it
by Dr. Pearson's office (VWF 212) by noon
on Friday, April 7.
Be sure
to write your name, the name(s) of your
professor(s), and your math class(es) on your solution (e.g.
Marge N.
L. Growth, Prof. Cal DeRivative, Math 172). Good luck, and have
fun!
Problem
Solvers of the Fortnight
|
The
previous problem of the fortnight was:
Find positive numbers b and k such that f(x)
= kx3 is a
probability density function on [0,b]
with a median of 3.
The solution is: To make f(x)
= kx3 a
probability density function on [0,b]
with a median of 3, we
need k = 81/2 and b = (162)1/4. A
detailed
solution of the problem is posted on the math bulletin board, and you
can check it out there!
Congratulations to: Mark Panaggio,
Mark Gilmore, Luke Wendt, Ben Herrman, James Nichols, Valerie Winton,
Jack Lepird, Zach Mitchell, Bryan McMahon, Jill Immink, Josh Kinder,
Andrea Eddy, Eric Lunderberg, Layne Fowler and Sam Baker.
Still
Crazy After All These Years
|
It
seems that today, March 26, is the birthday for many famous
singers. Rapper Juvenile turns 33 today, country singer Kenny
Chesney turns 40, rocker Steven Tyler is 60, and Motown's own Diana
Ross turns 64. Locally our own singing mathematics professor, Tim
Pennings, turns 50. (Or just L if you like Roman numerals.)
If you see Prof. Pennings this week don't forget to wish him a happy
birthday.
Do you like my
hat?
No I do not like that hat.
Good-bye!
Good-bye.
~ P.D. Eastman (From Go Dog Go)
