Computer Visualization in Mathematics
Join Professor Victor Donnay from Bryn Mawr College as he demonstrates the fun and relevance of mathematics in our daily lives. This presentation emphasizes the integrated nature of "Everyday Math" in K-5 education, utilizing manipulatives and visual arts. Dive into modern mathematical concepts like minimal surfaces, dynamical systems, and chaos theory, while discovering relationships between math, architecture, and nature. Experience the engaging interplay of visualization and experimentation in mathematics, from geometric shapes to chaotic motion, all through computer technology.
Computer Visualization in Mathematics
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Presentation Transcript
Computer Visualization in Mathematics Indiana University October 3, 2002 Professor Victor Donnay Bryn Mawr College
Math is fun, relevant and everywhere • “Everyday Math” for K-5 • Integrated throughout curriculum • Manipulatives ( for kids )
Perspective Math and Art:
Symmetry and Tessellations M.C. Escher:
Computer: math manipulative for big kids • Play with ideas • Visualize the concepts • Experiment with “What if ......”
Goal: • Introduction to some aspects of modern mathematics via the computer. • Geometry - Minimal Surfaces • Dynamical Systems and Chaos Theory
Minimal Surface • Fix the boundary wire • Dip into soap solution • Resulting shape uses minimum area to span the wire
Schwarz P surface • Imagine wires on the 6 ends • H. A. Schwarz, 1890
Costa Surface • Discovered by Brazilian Celso Costa, 1980s • Torus (?) with 3 holes (punctures)
Maryland Science Center http://www.mdsci.org Video to show relation of Costa Surface to torus
Dynamical Systems • Something moves according to a rule • Physics: springs, planets • Weather • Earth’s Ecosystem: • Global Warming, Ozone Hole • Economic modeling
Billiards • Rule: • One ball • Moves in straight line • Reflects off wall with angle reflection = angle of incidence • Moves forever - no friction • http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/chaos/
Regular Motion • Pattern • Predictable Chaotic Motion • No pattern • Moves “all over the place” • Not predictable
Billiard Program • Undergraduate summer research 1996 • Team: • Derya Davis, Carin Ewing, Zhenjian He, Tina Shen, • Supervised by: • Bogdan Butoi, Math graduate student • Deepak Kumar, Professor of Computer Science • Victor Donnay, Professor of Mathematics
The Standard Map: 2 Dimensional Dynamics. • Freeware from website of Professor J.D. Meiss: http://amath.colorado.edu/faculty/jdm/programs.html • Phase Space Game at http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/chaos/
Geodesic Motion on Surfaces • Walk in a “straight line” • Path of shortest distance
Round Sphere • Geodesics = great circles • Airplane routes • Path repeats --> Periodic motion
Question: • Does there exist a “deformed” , bumpy sphere with chaotic geodesics? • Topology: stretch and bend round sphere - still a “sphere” • But not the normal one!
Motion on this “sphere” is chaotic K. Burns and V.J. Donnay (1997) ``Embedded surfaces with ergodic geodesic flow'', International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, Vol. 7, No. 7,1509-1527.
Schwarz P- surface Minimal surface - Surface Evolver Make caps - Mathematica Attach caps- Geomview (http://www.geom.umn.edu)
“Torus” • With chaotic geodesic motion
Pictures made on Unix workstation • Louisa Winer ‘96 • Gina Calderaio ‘01
Another Type of Surface with Chaotic Geodesic Motion Two surfaces connected by tubes of negative curvature Finite Horizon configuration
The radiolarian Aulonia hexagona, a marine micro-organism, as it appears through an electron microscope
Thanks to: • Michelle Francl, Chemistry Department • Instructional Technology Team: • Susan Turkel • Marc Boots-Ebenfield • Gina Calderaio ‘01