Math 251 Spring 2008

Daily Schedule

Office hours: Mon 12:45--1:30, Thurs 10:15--11:15, Fri 12:45--1:30

Date Topics Assignment for next time

W 1/30

Iteration of linear functions using a calculator
Graphical representation of data in the (a,b)-plane

Find a precise definition of convergence and bring this definition (with a citation of your source) to class for discussion (no need to hand in).
Answer questions 1 through 4 in the book. Write down your examples and bring to class (no need to hand in)
What are your ideas on the best way to organize the data?
Work through the exercises in "A quick introduction to Maple" (no need to hand in)
Start reading Chapters one and two of "The Poincare conjecture".

M 2/4

Pseudocode; iteration using Maple
Introduction to Latex

-

W 2/6

Mathematical induction
The structure of a mathematical paper (very rough idea): Introduction, definition(s), theorem(s), proof(s), example(s).

Finsh "Latex practice" I and II and hand in.
Explore the remaining "questions to explore" in Section 1.4.
Do the questions in Section 1.5 ("Discussion")
Put into tex your definition of limit and convergence of a sequence.

M 4/7
Discussed The Poincare conjecture through chapter 4.
New version of the handout on plane curves.
Accompanying computer program behaved badly.

Read The Poincare conjecture through chapter 8. Come to class with a question about something in these chapters.
The paper on cyclic difference sets is due 4/11.
Work on Exercises 1--6 in the plane curves handout.
Contine working on paper on primes.

W 4/9
Computer program behaved properly.

Finish your paper on cyclic difference sets as soon as you can.
Continue to read The Poincare conjecture

M 4/14 Curves unit: parallels. Continue to work on curves unit.
-

W 4/16
Exchange papers on primes.

-

M 4/21 Don O'Shea comes to class to talk about his book
-

Date	Topics	Assignment for next time
W 1/30	Iteration of linear functions using a calculator Graphical representation of data in the (a,b)-plane	Find a precise definition of convergence and bring this definition (with a citation of your source) to class for discussion (no need to hand in). Answer questions 1 through 4 in the book. Write down your examples and bring to class (no need to hand in) What are your ideas on the best way to organize the data? Work through the exercises in "A quick introduction to Maple" (no need to hand in) Start reading Chapters one and two of "The Poincare conjecture".
M 2/4	Pseudocode; iteration using Maple Introduction to Latex	-
W 2/6	Mathematical induction The structure of a mathematical paper (very rough idea): Introduction, definition(s), theorem(s), proof(s), example(s).	Finsh "Latex practice" I and II and hand in. Explore the remaining "questions to explore" in Section 1.4. Do the questions in Section 1.5 ("Discussion") Put into tex your definition of limit and convergence of a sequence.
M 4/7	Discussed The Poincare conjecture through chapter 4. New version of the handout on plane curves. Accompanying computer program behaved badly.	Read The Poincare conjecture through chapter 8. Come to class with a question about something in these chapters. The paper on cyclic difference sets is due 4/11. Work on Exercises 1--6 in the plane curves handout. Contine working on paper on primes.
W 4/9	Computer program behaved properly.	Finish your paper on cyclic difference sets as soon as you can. Continue to read The Poincare conjecture
M 4/14	Curves unit: parallels. Continue to work on curves unit.	-
W 4/16	Exchange papers on primes.	-
M 4/21	Don O'Shea comes to class to talk about his book	-