For the Number You Have Chosen, Answer Three of the Following Questions

Math 140-11 Fall 2008

Number Questions Assignment

The course syllabus mentions a presentation/paper assignment, and this is it. The assignment is worth 50 points total, with 20 points coming from the presentation and 30 from the paper.

Consider the following numbers. On Wednesday I will ask you to choose one of the numbers. The number in the upper right hand corner of this paper indicates the order in which you will get to choose not only your number but also the date on which you will present your oral report. Unless you are picking first, some of the numbers and dates will be taken by the time you choose. You should know your first through n-th choices for a number, where “n” is the number in the upper right hand corner of the paper.

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, , 40, 81, 88, 99, 360, 8128, 2024561111, googol, i (imaginary unit), φ (phi), π (pi), e, א0(aleph-naught),

For the number you have chosen, answer three of the following questions. Present your answers both in a one to two page paper and in a three minute oral report. Some questions might not make sense for some numbers, but some numbers might surprise you.

1. How old is this number?

2. What are the interesting linguistic properties of this number?

3. What is the cultural significance of this number, and in which culture(s)?

4. What interesting arithmetic properties does this number possess? (prime, perfect, twin prime, transcendental, irrational, etc)

5. What is an interesting true story about this number?

6. Where was this number first used?

7. What are the interesting geometric properties associated with this number?

8. What are some examples of this number in art, to include painting, sculpting, music, architecture, dance, etc?

9. When did you first discover this number? How?

10. How is this number represented in at least two other numeral systems?

Oral Presentation: We will schedule presentations when you pick your number. Take three to four minutes at the beginning of class to do the following four things: 1) Identify the number you chose to study, 2) For numbers which are not integers, give the number’s meaning or approximate decimal representation, 3) Identify which three questions you chose to answer, and 4) Answer the three questions. You should use some form of visual aid in your presentation. You may use the overhead projector, the computer projector, or the dry-erase board. The safest option is the dry-erase board, since it almost always works. If you want to use other equipment, you need to obtain it.

The 4 minute time limit is strict. I will stop you at 1:04p.m. whether you are finished or not, so be finished. I still have to teach the material from the text.

Written Paper: Submit a paper answering the same three questions which you have chosen for your oral presentation. The paper is due at the beginning of class on November 24, 2008 and must be more than one page but less than two pages long. Do not count the bibliography as part of the length of the paper. Your paper must be typed, with 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, and both sides, double-spaced, and printed in 12-point Roman or Times New Roman font. You must cite at least two sources, and at least one of these must be from a printed book, journal, or magazine. The other may be a web resource. Use the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers as a guide for citing sources. You may also find the web site helpful. Despite the fact that this is a math course, if you use the web site, follow the link for documenting sources in the Humanities.

Suggested web resources to begin your research:

Grading Criteria

Presentation

Did the student indicate the number being discussed?(0-3 points)

Did the student indicate the three questions being answered?(0-3 points)

Did the student answer the three questions?(0-6 points)

Did the student use appropriate visual aids?(0-3 points)

Were the student’s volume, pace, and physical manner effective? (0-3 points)

Did the student finish on time?(0-2 points)

Total0-20 points

Paper

Did the paper indicate the number being discussed?(0-4 points)

Did the paper indicate the three questions being answered?(0-4 points)

Did the paper answer the three questions?(0-9 points)

Did the paper exhibit proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? (0-6 points)

Did the paper satisfy the length requirement? (0 or 4 points) Did the paper contain appropriate, properly formatted documentation? (0-3 points)

Total0-30 points