Off on a Tangent
A Fortnightly Electronic Newsletter from the Hope College Department of Mathematics
   January 14, 2009 Vol. 7, No. 7  
http://www.math.hope.edu/newsletter.html


The first mathematics colloquium of the semester is tomorrow


Title:
 The P2+P' Problem & Entire Function Theory
Speaker:
 Prof.  Stephanie Edwards
Time:
 Thursday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Place:
 VWF 104


Abstract:  One of the problems stated in the Polya and Szego text from the early 1900s, Aufgaben und Lehrsatze aus der Analysis,  is: If P is a real polynomial with only real zeros, find the number of non-real zeros of P2+P'. If one removes the hypothesis that P has only real zeros, the problem becomes quite hard and was not solved until the 1980s.

We will solve the P2+P' problem when P has only simple real zeros.  Further, we will show how the problem can be restated in terms of the number of non-real zeros of the second derivative of a real entire function and discuss the research and progress which has been made in the area of distribution of zeros of real entire functions.

Please join us for refreshments in VWF 222 at 3:45 p.m.
Next week's colloquium focuses on statistics


Title:
 Jumping to Statistical Conclusions
Speaker:
 Prof. Joshua Naranjo, Dept. of Statistics, Western Michigan University 
Time:
 Thursday, January 22 at 4:00 p.m.
Place:
 VWF 104


Abstract:  Scientific conclusions are often made under shaky statistical foundations.   We will look at common mistakes, and how to avoid making them.

Dr. Naranjo will also be available to talk to students about graduate school in statistics before and after his talk.


Mathematician > Lumberjack (or any other job)

Don't trade in your calculator for an ax and a plaid shirt.  It turns out that a career as a mathematician has just been rated as the best job in the country. (While that of a lumberjack was rated as the worst.)  If you are thinking of becoming an actuary or a statistician, you need not worry.  Those careers were rated as number two and three respectively. 

The researchers at careercast.com, that determined these rankings, looked at such things as income, physical demands, stress, job environment, and the outlook for growth.  Mathematicians tend to have jobs that are highly lucrative, highly satisfying, and low on stress.  They also don't have to be concerned with obtaining getting a leg cut off by an unruly chain saw.

You can find more information about the list of the best and worst jobs at  http://www.careercast.com/jobs/jobsRated and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123119236117055127.html. 


Hope students take the Putnam Exam

Four Hope students took part in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition at the end of last semester.   This exam, the most prestigious mathematical competition for undergraduates in the nation, is administered by the Mathematical Association of America.  Bobby Nash, Thao Le, Jessica Clause, and Zach Mitchell took the six-hour long exam.  Congratulations to them for their effort and we look forward to learning the results soon.
The Problem of the Fortnight

Suppose you have 8 straight metal rods with lengths 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 inches. Suppose that 3 rods are selected at random. What is the probability that a triangle can be constructed from the 3 selected rods?

Write your solution (not just the answer!) on a triangular piece of paper and drop it by Dr. Pearson's office (VWF 212) by noon on Friday, January 23.  As always, be sure to write your name, the name(s) of your professor(s), and your math class(es) on your solution (e.g. Al Titude, Prof. Hy Potenuse, Math 276).  Good luck, and have fun!


Problem Solvers of the Fortnight

The last problem of the fortnight was:

A square is divided into three pieces of equal area by two parallel cuts as shown.  The distance between the parallel lines is 6 inches.  What is the area of the square in square inches?

Congratulations to the following problem solvers of the fortnight, who determined that the square has an area of 468 square inches:  Cameron DeHaan, Lydia Benish, James Nichols, Sean Eble, Drew Reyelts, Ryan Johnson, Bryan McMahon, Jacob Townley, Andrea Eddy, Mark Panaggio, Nathan Erber, Guillermo Rangel, Beth Heisel, Colleen McIntyre, Leonie Grosse, Heather Borgeson, Desirae Ott, Megan Scholten, Matthew Borst, Jeff Largent, Colin Rathbun, Lauren Miller, Stephen Burgett, Heather Thompson, Nathaniel Larimore, Eric Hallquist, Philip VanWyk, Daryl Anderson, Terra Fox, Nicholas Rebhan, Zachary Mitchell, Allie Lavane, Lucas Hoogeveen, Jon Boldt, Ashleigh Verhulst, John Bruggers, Laura Shears, Josh Andrews, Emily Bauss, Matt Glahn, Heather Esfandiari, Andrew Quick, Chris Jordan, and John Donkersloot.  Thanks to those of you who submitted your answers on a square sheet of paper.  Leonie Grosse's elegant solution (written on a square piece of paper) is posted on the bulletin board.


Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.

Barack Obama

Off on a Tangent