First Person Mathematics: On Discovering a Self in the Language of Science by Kirby Urner

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First Person MathematicsOn Discovering a
Selfin the Language of Scienceby Kirby Urner

• First Person Physical Science and Mathematics
• Wooing The Second Tier
• May 19 and 20, 2004
• University of Nebraska Lincoln

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Mathematics is the language of the sciences so
How do we boost and sustain interest in
mathematics starting early?
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When Has 2nd Tier Returned to Mathematics?

• Fractals Chaos
• Cellular Automata
• Geodesic Domes
• Bioneering (e.g. solar energy)
• Personal Fitness (e.g. diets, sports)

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Projects of Aesthetic or Practical Value

• room for self expression or discovery
• clear personal benefits
• greater independence or self sufficiency
• builds on existing skills
• leads to collaboration
• ideally to publication and recognition
• nets access to better tools

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Proposal share ideas and resources with those
pioneering computer science in K-12
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Where Did It Happen?Coordinate Systems
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When Did It Happen?Slicing Time into Frames
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What Happened?Objects and Events

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Connecting to Theater

• Where (space, stage)
• When (time, sequence)
• What (objects, actors, events)

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Accessible Computing Power Means New
Opportunities

• to simulate, model, animate
• to analyze and present data collected in the
  field
• to conceptualize mathematical entities in terms
  of objects
• to control in response to real time feedback
  (e.g. robotics)

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How is a Vector Like a Dog?

• Class or Type Blueprint or Template
• Vector objects as instances of Vector Class
• v1 Vector (1,2,3)
• Polynomials as instances of Polynomial Class
• p1 Poly (4,5,6)

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Math ObjectsTypes With Attributes and Methods

• Vector objects
• i v1.dot(v2)
• k v1.length
• v3 v1.cross(v2)
• v3 v1 v2
• v4 3 v1

Polynomial objects p1.degree p3 p1 p2 p3 p1
p2 p3 3 p1 p3 p1.derivative()
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Leveraging the Consistency of Dot Notation
mydog Dog() mydog.name Fido mydog.bark() do
g3 dog1.cross(dog2)
star.explode() car.velocity
noun.verb() noun.state
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A self differentiates objects of the same type
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Creativity Tension Between Selfhood and
Wholeness

• John Briggs
• selfhood is a source of nuances through which
  the whole is filtered. Each self has a different
  angle on the whole.

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Summary

• Will the physical sciences leverage computer
  science to keep mathematics vital to a 2nd tier?
• We shall see

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Contact Info

• This presentation --PowerPointhttp//www.4d
  solutions.net/fpp/fpmath.ppt
• PDFhttp//www.4dsolutions.net/fpp/fpmath.pdf
• Kirby Urner urnerk_at_qwest.net