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Three Vignettes from Elementary Mathematics
TITLE: Three short, unrelated bits of mathematics that are simple but (and?)
entertaining:
(1) How do you prove to a pre-calculus class the m_1m_2 =-1 rule for
perpendicular lines?
(2) How to sketch the graph the relation x^y = y^x in the first quadrant without
falling back on ick, technology.
(3) How my first published paper appeared in a geology journal. I solved an
unsolved problem of some ten years’ standing by changing variables and
integrating by parts.
BIO: Prof. Wilson's area of research is Combinatorial Geometry. He is an expert on symmetries of graphs and maps, and has authored of 45 papers in the subject. He originated several areas of study within this field, and coined the associated names, including rose window graphs, and unworthy graphs. He is now retired from teaching at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, but maintains an active research program.
Contact:
Barb Hodgson | hodgsonb@uleth.ca | (403) 329-2470 | uleth.ca/artsci/math-computer-science
