NYSMATYC

Region IV Annual Conference - Saturday, October 13, 2001

College Center Building (CCB) Nassau Community College Garden City, New York

Conference Schedule

Note: We still have a few open time slots (at 4:05 PM), so submit a proposal to me ASAP!!!

9:00 – 9:45 AM	Check–In/Registation and Refreshments (Coffee, Tea, Bagels, Donuts, etc.)
9 AM – 4 PM	Book Exhibits
9:50 – 10:55 AM	Keynote Speaker: Howard Anton, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA Applications Masquerading as Theory - A History Mystery What is an application? What is theory? How do you tell which is which? We will see that many of the most important applications are rooted in the historical development of the function concept. This may well challenge your concept of an application and raise questions about what you are teaching. Then...a very scary mystery.
11:00 – 11:55 AM	Mathematics of Choice: How did W get elected anyway? Sandra Monteferrante, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY A discussion of a number of recent and historical examples of multi-candidate plurality elections which result in unexpected, perhaps even devastating, outcomes. We show, by example, how election results may differ depending on the method of counting votes (e.g. plurality, pairwise comparison, runoff election, Borda count and Approval voting). Properties of voting methods: Condorcet winner criterion, monotonicity and independence of irrelevant alternatives are examined along with Arrow’s theorem. Saari’s geometric model and decomposition theorem are presented and used to compare alternative voting methods. Finally, voter sincerity and strategic voting are examined in the context of the remarkable Gibbard and Satterthwaite result. Building a Multitask Model for Problem Solving in Elementary Algebra John Tobey, North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA The majority of elementary algebra courses taught in community colleges in the United States focus on a few simple cases or types of word problems. However, a broader approach using a multitask model allows for a greater development of mathematical reasoning skills. If we examine carefully our assumptions about problem solving in an elementary algebra course, we may discover some unpleasant realities. Dr. Tobey will present some examples of diverse types of application problems that can be used to develop a rich multitask approach in Elementary Algebra. Mathematics Anxiety Humberto Cañate, Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY What is it? Where does it come from? Who suffers from it? How can we keep it out of the Classrooms?
12 Noon – 1 PM	LUNCH
1:05 – 2:00 PM	Why Your Computer Modem Needs to Know Trigonometry Steve Bast, Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD The end of the 20th century was the beginning of the Information Revolution. This presentation will show how trigonometric functions are used to describe electronic data signals. It will also provide insight to answer the question: "What is 'bandwidth' and why is it important?" A Guide Dog in My Classroom Agnes M. Kalemaris, SUNY Farmingdale, NY Teaching statistics as a very visual course to a blind student was quite a challenge. This presentation will discuss some of the problems, solutions that worked, some techniques that were not successful, and testing. The Next Mathematics Reform Movement Andrew Grossfield, P.E., College of Aeronautics, Flushing, NY Over the last few years representatives of the MAA and CRAFTY have approached the ASEE in order to promote mathematics reform. It appears that while the idea of mathematics reform is attractive, we are not yet ready to implement reform. There can be no meaningful reform without any mention of the flaws and real problems involved in teaching mathematics. While we all value and enjoy the ideas of mathematics, math teachers have never been good at presenting these ideas. This session will be devoted to a discussion of the following three papers which have appeared in ASEE Proceedings: What is College Algebra? Mathematical Definitions, and Mathematical Forms and Strategies (participants are encouraged to read these papers prior to attendance, which can be found at: http://www.asee.org/members/divisions/papers.cfm)
2:05 – 3:00 PM	Map Neighbor Counts Gary Simon, NYU Stern School of Business, NY The state of New York has five states as neighbors: Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Is there any mathematical regularity to these counts of neighbors? The following conjecture, slightly rephrased, appeared in a recent article on spatial analysis: Experience with geographic maps has indicated that, on average, interior regions will have six neighbors, while regions on the outside border will have four neighbors. Furthermore, approximately one-third of the regions in any map can be expected to be on the outside border. We will provide a simple response to this conjecture. Geographic maps can be arbitrarily complicated in theory, but the reality is that most maps permit a very simple answer. Math Enables the Disabled Catherine Vanek, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY · Not all Disabled Students are the same · Types of Disabled students · What needs should be reasonably accommodated for universal design · Adaptive Devices on the market for Students with disabilities · Organization & Study Skills are priorities · Supportive Materials readily available · What type of services is given at our Center for Students with Disabilities · Working with facilitators at our Center for Students with Disabilities · Suggestions from attendees Y2M: Yes to Mathematics Rochelle S. Robert and Theresa A. Vechiarelli, NCC, Garden City, NY For the past two years, we have been funded to organize a workshop, on our campus, for high school girls. The purpose is to get girls excited about mathematics and technology and other related fields. Come hear our story, how we went about getting funding, assistance from colleagues and support from the college. We'll even tell you where to buy the great logo key chains!
3:05 – 4:00 PM	The "Minimal Point" for a set of Web Points Allen Barnes, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, NY I will start by examining a set of 3 non-collinear points and the point which is the minimal total distance from these 3 points. Next I will do the general problem for n points. In this presentation I will attempt to prove some conjectures regarding the "minimal" point P. Learning Precalculus and Calculus with the TI-89 Emad Alfar, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY In this presentation, participants will learn how to use fundamental features of the TI-89 for teaching Precalculus and Calculus. Examples will be demonstrated and can be used to enhance student learning and exploration of topics in Precalculus and Calculus. Introduction to Cryptography Jack Lubowsky, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY A basic introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of cryptography including Steganography (hidden messages in innocuous documents), Transposition Ciphers and Substitution Ciphers. Discussion of the use of ciphers to introduce basic probability in solving cryptograms.
4:05 – 5:00 PM	TBA