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An Invitation To The Fascinating World of Mathematics: April 2015 Inaugural Edition
An Invitation To The Fascinating World of Mathematics: April 2015 Inaugural Edition
An invitation
to the
fascinating
world of
Mathematics
by
Epsilon Delta Society- University of Colombo
Omega plus One
OMEGA plus
One
Editors note
3
AT A GLANCE
R
Why study Mathematics beyond high school?
E
S Can a tortoise beat the fastest man in the world? Zenos paradox and
the curious case of convergence
O
U Problem Solving Strategies- Pigeonhole Principle
R
Mathematics of Chaos
C
E Mathematical Properties of Lissajous Figures
Contact Us
99
will be equally welcomed.
Conact us on :
www.fb.com/
epsilondeltaUOC@gmail.com
or mail us at,
M Paradoxes
A
T All throughout the magazine,
have fun and learn the easy
H way
S
F
Whats common between a sun- E
flower, Mona Lisa, an
Aston Martin a Fibonacci sequence A
and T
Nehara?- Find out in page
U
R
Lets explore the beautiful, simple E
yet infinitely complex world of
S
99
mathematical fractals- pages
2015 April Edition
M
athematics is a subject regarded at high We all use mathematics every day, sometimes without
levels in the school curriculums. Both in knowing that we do so. Mathematics is used in the
local and London curriculums, students constructions of almost all the things we use. It could
attitude towards mathematics is special. This is be building a house, a smart phone, a computer, or de-
mainly because it is considered as a difficult sub- signing a policy plan for a bank or an insurance com-
ject by many (not all). Though we know a lot about pany, some mathematics is involved in those. Without
mathematics taught in schools we know a very lit- theoretical mathematics none of those could have
tle about mathematics taught in universities. Have been developed. Still such applications are only a very
you ever wondered what kind of mathematics is small part of the vast subject of mathematics. In ab-
taught in universities? stract mathematics we discuss theories beyond the real
world applications. It is in physical science students
It appears that students in schools do not know get the luxury of learning such abstract mathematics.
much about the kind of mathematics they will If one really likes mathematics and is really good at it,
learn at a university. In Sri Lanka as a mathematics then doing higher studies in theoretical mathematics
student one has mainly two options to choose from will be the ideal option for such person.
when entering to a university: physical sciences
and engineering. From these two, students know No particular area in studies should be considered
very little about the physical science stream. In superior to another. What we do depend on or should
our country people think engineering studies to depend on what we prefer. This applies not only math-
be superior to physical science studies. This wrong ematics related studies such as physical and engineer-
understanding is there mainly because of the way ing studies, but also to all other studies including artis-
the cutoff marks are given for university entrance tic studies. I have known a mathematics professor who
in mathematics stream. However such superiority entered into a university to do music. What we really
is not there in other countries like USA. feel right about can take us to our goals. When making
decisions on the path to select we need to know where
It is under physical science one learns theoretical that path is lead to. The path that mathematics can
mathematics. To see the beauty of mathematics, take you however is not correctly understood in Sri
the theoretical side of the subject should be stud- Lanka and hope this will change in the future.
ied. Physical science stream is the path to become
a mathematician or a scientist. Mathematicians
around the world do research in different areas of
mathematics and come up with new theories. Deep
understanding of mathematical theories is need-
ed to do research in mathematics. Mathematics
courses in physical science are designed with an
aim to prepare students to pursue higher studies in
mathematics.
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Omega plus One
by Thesath Nanayakkara
W
hat do petal arrangements in a red term of the Fibonacci sequence.
rose, an attractive human face, the
famous paintings Mona Lisa and Then X1 = X 2 = 1 , and for each n>2 ;
Sacrament of the Last Supper , the
great pyramids of Egypt, the mystifying spiral shells X n = X n1 + X n 2
of mollusks and the structure on the universe have in
common? Whilst it may be difficult to grasp, these Therefore the first few terms of the sequence are as
diverse looking examples and many more have an follows
unique number and a simple number sequence com-
mon to them. In the next few pages let me introduce 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34.
you to the fascinating and mysterious world of the
What about the golden ratio? It is an irrational real
Golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers.
number., but then it is not just another number, it
Lets start by defining these two concepts. The Fi- is a number which has been of interest to mathema-
bonacci sequence is an infinite number sequence in ticians, physicists, philosophers, beauticians, archi-
which the first two terms are defined to be 1 and 1 tects, artists, financial analysts, musicians since antiq-
and then each successive term is formed as the sum uity. This number has the propensity to appear when
of the previous two terms of the sequence. you least expect, and even contribute to understand-
ing of things which (at least from the outside) have
For a more mathematical definition let X n be the nth very little to do with mathematics or even science.
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2015 April Edition
1+ 5 1 5 = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1... X n +1
obtained as and . 5)Now suppose lim exists
2 2 n X
n
prove that this value is equal to the
golden ratio.
Verify the result by starting off
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2015 April Edition
The last exercise shows an interrelationship be- found that irrespective of cultural discrepancies all
tween the Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Ratio. groups had the same perceptions of facial beauty. Dr.
This is not the only the relationship either. It can Marquardt developed a facial beauty mask based on
be shown that any Fibonacci number can be found a series of phi related rectangles, triangles and deca-
using a formulae involving the Golden Ratio. gons, and remarkably many historical faces share
proportions that are conforming to this beauty mask.
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Omega plus One
a
b
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Omega plus One
In order to answer the question we invited someone who inarguably, has one
of the most beautiful faces in the country, Nehara Peiris Rajapakse to help us
unravel the mystery. Nehara requires no introduction; she has been one of the
most popular personalities in Sri Lanka ever since starting off her career, and
is cited by media and fans alike as one of the most naturally attractive persons
in the country. But while no one would dispute her beauty what would be the
mathematics verdict? Lets find out
Take a look at the image It must be said that this width of her face. Which of
# , In red is a sequence of construction was a purely course indicates the ratio is
golden rectangles and gold- geometric construction, of the golden proportion.
en ellipses enclosed in each constructed independently The first ellipse almost flaw-
rectangle. A golden ellipse of the photograph. The only lessly captures her face and
is just an ellipse in which input which was taken from its shape. The second ellipse
its ratio of the major to the photograph is the dis- goes through the outsides
the minor axis (a/b) is the tance between the top of her of the two pupils in each
golden ratio, and a gold- head to the bottom of the eye and also through the
en rectangle is a rectangle chin (i.e. The height of her midpoints of her forehead
whos dimensions are of the head), so that the sequence and mouth. As the sequence
golden proportion. Also can be constructed in appro- progresses each element
each rectangle (except the priate size with respect to captures an identity of her
outmost and the innermost the photograph. face, I would leave it to the
rectangles), has the prop- reader to examine them.
erty that the ratio of the Observe how impeccably In addition use the ratios
distances to the two nearest the shape of her face and between rectangles vertical-
neighboring rectangles are its symmetry is captured by ly and horizontally to find
of the golden ratio. this sequence. The dimen- many of the abundant gold-
sions of the original golden en ratios in her face. What
rectangle fit perfectly to the is remarkable is that most
height of her head and the of these ratio s are precisely
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2015 April Edition
12
Omega plus One
of physical beauty in a person it must be said In the next page I will try to briefly illustrate
that if you care enough to notice it mathe- the many other diverse applications of the
matics itself is as beautiful as any beautiful golden ratio to the world or even the universe
face the world has ever seen. To answer the we live in.
question I asked earlier, yes Nehara is math-
ematically beautiful but as I doubt many of
you needed any more evidence to believe she
was indeed beautiful, this would have helped
you to realized that and appreciate the fact
that mathematics is as beautiful to your mind
and brain as she is or anyone else is to your
eyes. It is just that you need to take that lit-
tle effort to realize that, just like you need to
open your eyes to recognize had appreciate
that any person it beautiful, you need to open
your mind and brain to appreciate the beauty
of mathematics.
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Mathematics Fallacies
learning the hard way!
A fallacy is a mathematical statement which leads to a wrong or a contradicting conclusion. In most cases it
is because of using a wrong mathematical technique. In all the proofs presented below there is a wrong step
in each one of them, and the reason why they have all lead to absurd conclusions. Try to identify them all.
Identifying such a step can present better understanding of the mathematical concepts, and critically evaluat-
ing each step as to if its right or wrong can strengthen your mathematical foundations.
Then
0=4
1=0?
1
let I = dx
x ;
1 1 1 1
I = 1. dx = x x 2 dx = 1 + dx = 1 + I
Now integrate by parts x x x x
Therefore 1=0 ;
We will break the usual practice and explain the mistake in this particular fallacy, the usual method of inte-
grating by parts used in high school and elementary calculus is primarily for definite integral. In this case it
is the indefinite integral which is computed. It is areas such as these where care must be taken to understand
everything you learn, mathematics is NOT a bunch of techniques or formulas, the key is to understand the
concepts behind everything you learn then the chances of being wrong will come down drastically.
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2015 April Edition
Fractals
Infiniteky complex yet extrodinarily
simple
by Rajinda Wickrama
A picture is worth a thousand words- a common explains nature. These amazingly interesting yet very
and famous proverb we all learned back in the ele- complex patterns bring together science, mathemat-
mentary days of school. This statement emphasizes ics and art which elevate these patterns and processes
the importance of visualization in our day to day to a whole new level full of immense potential and
lives. Visualization has played a major role in many knowledge.
areas of mathematics over the past few centuries
especially in Geometry. Visual intuition has also
been encouraged by many famous mathematicians Before getting into the details and mathematics be-
and physicists including Einstein. A very common hind fractals it is also interesting to ask the question
method we have been taught back in school by our What is not a fractal? What is the difference be-
teachers and also by our professors at lectures to tween a geometric shape and a fractal? Take any con-
solve certain problems is to draw a picture. Unfor- nected geometric shape and pick an arbitrary point
tunately, not all problems can be solved using pic- A on the shape. If we start to examine smaller and
tures and figures and also at times figures can also be smaller portions of the shape around A by enlarging
very misleading, however, visualization is without a the shape it would start to reveal a smoother shape.
doubt a very powerful tool in learning mathematics In fact, the shape around the point A will be locally
which helps to reduce complexity of problems. linear. This does not mean that it will have a shape
of a perfect straight line but, the deviation from a
A fractal is a never ending pattern that repeats itself straight line can be reduced arbitrarily by enlarging
at every scale. A fractal is called a self similar pat- the figure around the point A further.
tern if repetitions are exactly the same at any given
scale. Some define fractals to be the mathematics that
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Omega plus One
Fractals can be found abundantly to understand how certain natural phenomena occur and change. This
in nature as well as mathematics. is where mathematics can contribute and some also say that fractals are
Fractal patterns appear in many the mathematics that explains nature.
natural systems such as blood ves-
sels, nerves systems, trees, leaves
river networks, weather patterns
and even in stars and galaxies!
An excel-
lent exam-
ple for nat-
ural fractals
existing in
the human
body is the
lungs. The
branching
patterns can
be seen to
repeat over
and over.
Also, it is
interesting
to notice
that the branching of the lungs is
quite similar to the branching pat-
Sierpinski Triangle
terns of trees. However, this is not
too surprising as both systems car-
Sierpinski triangle (or Sierpinski gasket) is one of the simplest classi-
ry out one of the most important
cal fractals which was invented by the famous mathematician Waclaw
functions; respiration. Our brains
Sierpinski in 1916.
too are full of fractals. The struc-
ture and the connecting patterns
of the neurons represent fractals.
Moreover the fractal patterns are
essential for our brain to function
the way it does! Fractals can also
be seen in fossilized objects such
as (e) where the same patterns
are repeated with the sizes of the
patterns scaling down propor-
tionately to give the structure the
Building of this fractal is an iterative process. First we start off with an
shape of a spiral. Spiral fractals can
equilateral triangle. Then connect the midpoints of this triangle. This
also be seen in weather phenome-
will result in four equilateral triangles. Thereafter remove the triangle in
na such as hurricanes and storms
the center. Now we are left with three triangles and continue the same
and also in the shapes of galaxies.
process on these triangles separately and remove the three middle trian-
It is important to note that fractals
gles of those triangles. This process can be repeated as many times, and
in natural systems do not repeat
this gives us the Sierpinski triangle. But why is this fractal so interest-
infinitely. However, the fractal pat-
ing? To answer that let us examine its area and perimeter of it. Let the
terns existing in nature is extreme-
area and the perimeter of the starting equilateral triangle be denoted by
ly important to the functioning of
and respectively. Let denote the area of the fractal after each respective
those the way they do and under-
iteration and the perimeters. Clearly after the first iteration the area of
standing fractals may be the key
the shape is reduced by a proportion of 0.75. So we have that
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2015 April Edition
Mandelbrot Set
A1 = A0 ( 0.75 )
Mandelbrot set is possibly the most popular fractal
1 ( 0.75 ) A0 ( 0.75 )
2
=A2 A= which is known to be the most complex object which
is made visible. It leaves us no way to become bored,
because new things appear all the time, and no way
An 1 ( 0.75=
) = A0 ( 0.75)
n
A=
n become lost, because familiar things come back
time and time again-a brief description by Benoit
Now you may wonder what happens when is really Mandelbrot on the beauty and the complexity of the
large? Lets take the limit of the area of the nth trian- Mandelbrot set. Before exploring the beauty of the
gle. Mandelbrot set let us look at the steps required to
construct it which requires some basic knowledge on
complex numbers.
Now let us focus on the behavior of the perimeter. Some of you may find it difficult to understand
After the first triangle is removed during the first the above definition of the construction of the
iteration the perimeter of the shape increases by a Mandelbrot set therefore few examples are provided
proportion of 1.5. Similar to the area we get that below to help understand how elements are sorted to
determine whether belong to the set or not. Suppose
the initial condition is always set to be equal to 0.
Now let . Therefore we get that
L1 = L0 (1.5 )
1 (1.5 ) L0 (1.5 )
2
=L2 L=
Ln 1 (1.5=
) = L0 (1.5)
n
L=
n
z1 = 1
z2 = 12 + 1 = 2
L0 (1.5 ) L0 lim (1.5 )
n n
lim Ln lim
= = z3 = 22 + 1 = 5
n n n
z4 = 52 + 1 = 26
That is for c = 1 the recursive formula results in a
Therefore when the number of iterations tends to diverging sequence 0,1,2,5,26, . Hence 1 is not an
infinity the perimeter of the shape also tends to element of the Mandelbrot set. If we take it would
infinity. Hence what we get is a shape with a zero area result in the sequence 0,-1,0,-1,0, which alternates
and an infinite perimeter which can be made visible in between two numbers and is clearly bounded.
the boundaries of a piece of paper! Fascinating isnt it? Therefore, -1 is an element of the Mandelbrot set.
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Pc :
) z 2 + c c By iterating starting
given by Pc ( z=
from and by choosing any sets of sequences in the
form (0, Pc (0), Pc ( Pc (0)), Pc ( Pc ( Pc (0))),...) can be
constructed. The Mandelbrot set is the set of values
of such that the above sequence does not diverge to
infinity. If Pc n ( z ) denotes the nth iterate of Pc ( z )
or the nth composition of with Pc ( z ) itself. the
Mandelbrot set (say ) can be defined as follows;
{
M = c r such that n , |Pc n ( z )| r }
(Continued)
(f) illustrates the Mandelbrot set in the complex plane.
In (g) the area coloured in black are the points that
belong to the Mandelbrot set. The rest of the colours are
used according to the speed of divergence to infinity.
You may wonder now as to why this set is considered to
be so complex. Let us pick a point on the set and zoom
in and explore.
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Omega plus One
The Universe is a grand book which cannot be read until one first learns which it is composed. It is written
in the language of mathematics...
Galilei Galileo
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2015 April Edition
Problem Solving
Strategies
The Pigeonhole Principle
If there are more pigeons than holes, at least one hole must have at least two pigeons
Pigeonhole Principle simply states dren sleeps in a bedroom. 1) Show that in any group
that if n + 1 or more pigeons are Show that there is at least of people, there are two
placed in n holes, then one hole one bedroom in which at who have an identical
must contain two or more pi- least 3 children sleeps in. number of friends within
geons. This may seem quite trivial the group (Assume that
and obvious but a lot of challeng- If no bedroom has at least 3 friend is symmetric-if x
ing problems even at competition children sleeping, in each bed- is a friend of y, then y is a
levels including Olympiad exams room can have a maximum friend of x.)
have been made using this simple of 2 children in each of them.
logic. This means that there are only Solution : The maximum num-
a maximum of 8 (4*2) children ber of friends one person in the
Before moving on to some exam- in the family, which contra- group can have is n-1, and the
ples lets state a more general state- dicts that we have 12. minimum is 0. First assume that
ment of the Pigeonhole principle all members have at least 1 friend.
3) Show that among any 4 If all of the members have at least
If n pigeons are sitting in k pi- integers one can find 2 one friend, then each individual
geonholes, where n > k, then there numbers so that their dif- can have somewhere between to
is at least one pigeonhole with at ference is divisible by 3. friends; as there are indi-
least [n/k] pigeons. viduals, by pigeonhole there must
Lets name the integers
be at least two with the same num-
Here [ ] denotes the greatest inte-
n1 , n2 , n3, n4 . Lets divide each ber of friends.
ger function. In other words for
by 3. Then the remainders can
any real number a, [a] is equal to If one individual has no friends,
only take 3 values, 0,1 and 2.
the largest integer not greater than then the remaining friends must
But we have 4 integers. There-
a. have from to friends for
fore there should be at least
the remaining friends not to also
Lets begin by looking at some easy 2 integers (suppose n1 , n2 ) have no friends. By pigeonhole
problems solved using the pigeon- such that both have the same again, this leaves at least other
hole principle. remainder, say r. person with friends.
1) If Sri Lanka have scored Then there are inte- 2) In a group of six people, there
8 boundaries in the first 7
gers k1 , k2 . Such that will always be three people that
overs of a cricket match,
are mutual friends or mutual
show that there has been 3k1 + r , and n2 =
n1 = 3k2 + r
strangers. (Assume that friend
at least one over in which
at least 2 boundaries have . Then n1 n2 = 3 ( k1 k2 ) and is symmetric-if x is a friend of y,
the result follows. thenyis a friend ofx.)
been scored.
As an exercise prove the general- Think of this problem geometrical-
This is a direct application of the
ized pigeonhole principle. ly. Imagine the six people as points
pigeonhole principle, the overs
and let an edge between points in-
are the holes and the boundaries Now we will look into a few dicate friendship. We have to show
are the pigeons, there are more problems which are a bit more that no matter how the graph is
pigeons than holes, so there must challenging, then the reader can drawn, there is a set of three points
be at least one hole (over) with 2 try the ideas behind the problems that are all connected or a set of
pigeons (boundaries). to gain an understanding on how three points that has no connect-
2) There is a family of 12 the pigeonhole principle is used to ing edges. (this approach can be
children. If there are only solve problems. associated with the mathematics
4 bedrooms, and each chil- branch graph theory)
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Omega plus One
3) Given n integers a1; a2; an, not necessarily dis- If there is a problem you cant solve, then there is
an easier problem you cant solve: find it.
tinct, there exist integers k and l with 0 k < l n
`-George Polya
such that the sum ak +1 + ak + 2 + al is a multiple of
n.
Solution: Consider the n integers
a1 , a1 + a2 , a1 + a2 + an , divide each of these
integers by n.
i 1, 2 n (by
Then we can have that for each=
divisor theorem)
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Omega plus One
Chaos
does the flap of a butterflys wings in Brazil , set off a tornado in Texas ?
By M.A.Reza
C
haos is an intriguing branch on chaos theory, titled Predict- where the population is expressed
of science, which has been ability: Does the Flap of a But- as a fraction of the maximum
keenly researched on by terflys Wings in Brazil set off a population sustained by the
mathematicians as well as physi- Tornado in Texas? available resources and r is the
cists from the early 1900s till now. effective proportionality constant
Chaos , which literally means a What does topologically mix- . r is a measure of how much the
state of disorder was observed ing mean? future population depends on
in various physical phenomena , Well, this is a very interesting top- the current population and the
some which were not that critical ic in math which Ill leave alone resources.
to mankind and some which are for the time being but is surely When this population model is
directly related to mankind such as worth reading on. modeled using the mathematical
the population and the weather . software MATLAB it shows very
So why are both mathematicians chaotic results.
There is no defined mathematical as well as physicists intrigued by
definition for chaos , but generally chaos?
for a dynamical system to be classi- Well, just within the little space r=0.5
fied as a chaotic system , it has to be of this article, we have seen that
sensitive to initial conditions ,it has planetary motion, electronic
to be topologically mixing and it circuit behavior, weather patterns
should have dense periodic orbits . all are very sensitive to initial
conditions and are candidates
Whats a dynamical system ? for chaotic behavior. Nowadays
Well, the actual definition of a the applications of chaos theory
dynamical system involves a lot of spread even to the field of eco-
math, but for us to have a basic idea nomics. At the heart of this are
the change in the human popu- basic differential equations, topol-
lation over time can be modeled ogy, and nonlinear dynamics
using differential equations as a
dynamical system. Lets take the population model as
a simple example. r=3
What does sensitive to initial We all know that the population
conditions mean? of a country the next year will
Well, again to simply define it, it depend on the current population
is that some systems, for example as well as the amount of resources
even small circuits to the massive remaining.
orbits of planets around the sun, So expressing the population at
are very sensitive to their initial year n+1 in terms of the current
conditions and thus are candidates population n.
to be chaotic.
This is also popularly known as the We have
butterfly effect .the name comes
=xn +1 rxn (1 xn )
from the name of the research
paper submitted by Edward Lorenz
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Omega plus One
By
M.A.Reza
r=4
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2015 April Edition
Think of a Number
Think of a number is a pretty old trick and there are many variations of it. Lets explore few basic ones. Think
of number, and write it down. Multiply it by 10 and take away the number you first thought of. Add 36 and
cross out one of the figures in the final number (except the last one, if it is 0). Then you can ask for the figures
that make up the final number, in any order, and you can tell the figure which crossed out., by simply adding
up the digits you were given, and subtracting it from the nearest largest number more than 10 which is a mul-
tiple of 9. And the remainder is the number which was crossed out. Can you understand why?
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Omega plus One
Mathematics behind
Lissajous Figures by Rusiru Gambheera
F
ew months ago when I was learning about
simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) in a physics
lecture, I learnt about these beautiful curves,
called Lissajous figures. I was obsessed about their
mathematical properties and they raised so many
questions to me. Somehow I managed to answer one
of those questions. 1 31
=
2 113
I will introduce Lissajous figures in the context of
simple harmonic motion and will demonstrate some
unexpected mathematical property using them. Observe that in all of these graphs Ive chosen
1
So, what if irrational ?
2
(Corresponds to the S.H.M in x direction)
The following figure illustrates the case where
1
= 2
(Corresponds to the S.H.M in y direction) 2
=R {( u, v ) ; u [ a, a ] , v [ b, b]}
1 3
= The very first natural question which comes to our
2 2 mind is does P go through each and every point in
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2015 April Edition
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Omega plus One
Puzzles &
Brain teasers
Puzzles are a wonderful source to introduce yourself to mathematics and improve problem solving skills .The
following are a collection of mathematical puzzles, most require nothing more than high school mathemati-
cal knowledge. However the problems may require some problem solving skills and mathematical maturity.
Problem solving skills can only be developed by actually solving problems, so we encourage the readers to try
them all on their own, solutions will be provided in the next edition
1) Suppose youre in a hallway lined with 100 closed lockers. You begin by opening every locker. Then you
close every second locker. Then you go to every third locker and open it (if its closed) or close it (if its open).
Lets call this action toggling a locker. Continue toggling every nth locker on pass number n. After 100 passes,
where you toggle only locker #100, how many lockers are open?
2) 100 people are seated in a column. Devil puts a hat of either red or blue on everyones head. Everyone
can only see the hats of all the people sitting before him. Each one has to say the color of his own hat, start-
ing from the one sitting on the last seat who can see the hats of all 99 people before him, but not his own. He
would be killed if he guessed wrong. After the last one guessed, the 99th person would guess. All his infor-
mation is the hats on the 98 people before him and what the last one guessed, which he can hear. He would
also be killed if he guessed wrong. Each person guess in turn till the person sitting on the first seat. Each
ones information is the hats of people before him and what the people after him guessed. Those 100 people
can get together and devise a strategy before the Devil puts on the hats. Devil would know their strategy and
try to put on the hats so he can kill as many people as possible. Whats the best strategy those 100 people can
come up with to minimize the total number of people being killed? Assume everyone is unselfish and works
together for this common goal
3) 100 passengers are boarding an airplane with 100 seats. Everyone has a ticket with his seat number.
These 100 passengers boards the airplane in order. However, the first passenger lost his ticket so he just take
a random seat. For any subsequent passenger, he either sits on his own seat or, if the seat is taken, he takes a
random empty seat. Whats the probability that the last passenger would sit on his own seat? There is a very
simple explanation for the result.
4)There are n people, each with a unique number from 1 to n. There are n identical lockers, each of which
contains a paper with a unique number from 1 to n on it. However, you have no idea which locker contains
what number. The purpose is for everyone to find the locker with his own number. Each one can open at
most n/2 lockers and, once he looks at the number, he has to close the locker. If another person wants to see
the same locker, he has to open it again himself. They cant exchange information with each other. Prove that
there exists a certain constant that no matter how big n is, those people can always devise a strategy so all of
them can find their own numbers with probability larger than that constant.
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Omega plus One
Poetry Inspired by
Mathematics
Even as the finite encloses an infinite series I tell my students the story of Newton versus Leibniz,
And in the unlimited limits appear, the war of symbols, lasting five generations,
So the soul of immensity dwells in minutia between The Continent and British Isles,
And in narrowest limits no limits inhere. involving deeply hurt sensibilities,
What joy to discern the minute in infinity! and grievous blows to national pride;
The vast to perceive in the small, what divinity! on such weighty issues as publication priority
and working systems of logical notation:
from: Treatise on Infinite Series whether the derivative must be denoted by a prime,
by Jacob Bernoulli an apostrophe atop the right hand corner of a func-
tion,
evaluated by Newtons fluxions method, y/x;
or by a formal quotient of differentials dy/dx,
intimating future possibilities,
terminology that guides the mind.
Mathematics for Life The genius of both men lies in grasping simplicity
out of the swirl of ideas guarded by Chaos,
Mathematics is a Pure Science becoming channels, through which her light poured
It consists of full on entertainment clarity
t has lots of things to study with encouragement on the relation binding slope of tangent line
Benefits of a life time are added to area of planar region lying below a curve,
Your failures will be subtracted The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus,
But in the end your knowledge will be multiplied basis of modern mathematics, claims nothing more.
If you care enough get your possessions divided
Your happiness definitely will be exponentiated While Leibnizsuave, debonair, philosopher and
- Hasika Kalani politician,
published his proof to jubilant cheers of continental
followers,
the Isles seethed unnerved, they knew of Newtons
secret files,
locked in deep secret drawers
for fear of theft and stranger paranoid delusions,
hiding an earlier version of the same result.
from: Calculus
by Sarah Glaz
References
J. Bernoulli, Treatise on Infinite Series (poem excerpt), translated by H.M. Walker, in: A Source Book in
Mathematics, by D.E. Smith, Dover Publications, 1959
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