The Math Major Vol. 2, No. 14

The Math Major

CSU Fresno Mathematics Department

Vol 2. No. 14

Professor Zane Retiring

This Spring semester marks the last that mathematics professor Burke Zane will be teaching as he will retire. Professor Zane has been at CSU Fresno since 1962 and in that time has held the positions of Department Chair and as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences. We will all miss Burke.

Math Department Colloquia

Date: Thursday, May 7, 4:10 pm
Speaker:Zhang Fuji, from Xiamen University in the Fujan province of China
Title: Ordering the trees with perfect matching by their energies
Location: Science 143
Abstract:Recently we proved two conjectures of I. Gutman on the tree with a perfect matching which has minimum energy. Furthermore the trees with perfect matching having large or small energies are also determined.

Math Club Film Series

The Math Club sponsors a video film showing every other tuesday. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 5 pm
Film: "Has Progress in Mathematics Slowed Down?"
Location: PB 428
Description:This filmed lecture is a survey of some of the mathematical progress achieved in the years between 1925 and 1990. It expounds 22 subjects, classified into Concepts (new words that all mathematicians alive today have heard, and many of us wish we knew more about), Explosions (answers to old questions of great fame), and Developments (deep and sometimes breathtaking contributions on the level that earns Fields medals).

Outstanding Math Majors

Matthew Bourez, senior math major, was selected to be this years outstanding math major by the department faculty. Also, math major Amy Peterson will be one of the recipients of the 1998-99 F. Harold Downing scholarship.

Graduating Math Majors

There are 25 math majors and 5 masters degree (in mathematics) students graduating in the 1997-98 academic year (Fall and Spring). Many of our graduates choose teaching as a career. While the financial rewards in teaching are modest, the personal gratification teachers experience can be potent. The faculty would like to wish our former students well.

Graduation Dinner

Every Spring, the Department of Mathematics hosts a dinner for all graduating seniors and graduate students. This year the dinner will be held on Wednesday May 20. If you are a graduating math student you should have received an invitation. If you have not received an invitation, please contact the math department.

Problem Corner

Problem 2.13: Fold an 8 inch by 11 inch piece of paper in such a way that a pair of diametrically opposed corners touch. What is the ratio of the respective lengths of the fold line to a diagonal?

Solution to Problem 2.13: By symmetry, the diagonal (AC) that cuts the fold line (EF) must be perpendicular to the fold line.

By AAA, we have the similar triangles EGC and ADC, which implies

EG/GC = AD/DC = 8/11

Also, by symmetry, both the fold line and the diagonal bisect each other. This then gives us

EF/AC = EG/GC= 8/11.

Thus the ratio of the respective lengths of the fold line to a diagonal is 8/11.

Of the two solutions turned in, the only correct solution was from John Jamison.

Problem Corner Winners for Spring 1998

This Spring semester John Jamison wins the first prize ($75) for the most correct solutions submitted (4 out of 6). The second place prize ($50) will be shared by the five students (each contributing 1 correct solution) Leslie Hatcher, David Heib, Froso Michael, Lynday Ng and Okaey Ukachukwu.