Math Community Guide: Math Chat, 4/22/14

The purpose of the Math Club is to promote the learning, understanding, and enjoyment of mathematics on the Bridgewater State University campus. The Club currently hosts a Game Night annually in the fall and Math Chats annually in the spring.

Students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines are all welcome to join the club!

If you would like to participate, organize additional activities, or help obtain funds please e-mail Sarah Milligan at SMILLIGAN@student.bridgew.edu .

Club Student Officers, 2019-2020

Sarah Milligan, President
Megan Lalumiere, Vice President
Alanna Nucci, Secretary
Savanah Seay, Treasurer

Tameka, Tiago, Yaqin, Jamie, Terry, & Olivia

Previous Advisors:

Dr. Shelley Stahl, 2017-2019

Dr. Laura Gross 2011 - 2015
Dr. Vignon Oussa, 2012 - 2014
Dr. Jacqueline Anderson, 2013 - 2014
Professor Thomas Moore
Dr. Rebecca Metcalf
Dr. Uma Shama

Abstract:

Nowadays, as the security of cryptography becomes a pressing topic in society, the difficulty of primality testing gains importance; cryptography algorithms such as RSA critically rely on the fact that prime factorization of large numbers takes a long time. For this project, I will briefly introduce the history of prime numbers and the importance of primality testing. Then I will study some methods of primality testing such as, Fermats Little theorem, and the Strong Psuedoprimality Test.

Abstract:

The game of craps is an extremely popular game offered by casino operators. There are some 40 different types of bets that one can place each time the game is played. One of the best bets from a player’s point of view is the Pass Line bet. The probability of winning a Pass Line bet is almost the same as the probability of losing ( versus ) as we will derive rigorously in this article. Since the “house” has such a small advantage over the players, many players possess the illusion that they have pretty good chance of making a profit or even making a living by playing this game. This article will show that this really is not the case. We will show that the probability of making a profit is almost zero if one plays the game regularly for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract:

In this presentation I will be taking a step by step look into the proof of the second derivative test for multivariable functions. An extension of the second derivative test for single variable functions, this test allows for us to determine whether or not at a given critical point a function has a relative maximum, relative minimum, or saddle point. What makes the multivariable test of particular interest is that we must compare two aspects of the function to obtain information about it – the discriminant, and the second order partial derivative with respect to x or y. To prove this test works in most cases of continuous, differentiable functions, I will walk through what maxima and minima look like in multiple variables, the algebraic representation thereof, and how this form is the basis for the test as we see it in calculus textbooks.

Today there are an uncountable number of signals being transmitted around the world. One of the problems in the world of data transmission is noise. Noise can cause erasures in a signal, meaning use a part of that signal. If you lose part of your signal that can mean you lose of the whole message. This is just one problem Frame Theory hopes to solve. This talk will give you an introduction to Frame Theory through a review of important Linear Algebra basics: vectors, basis, and orthonormal bases. Focusing on Parseval Frames, it will discuss how frames can be used in the transmission of data.

Special thanks to Tingting Lin, Math Club Secretary, who secured SGA funding for this event!