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In the immediate future we will take up some topics in spherical geometry and projective geometry. I think we will try a different approach to learning this stuff now that we have had an experience with going deeply into one complicated area--circle geometry and models of the plane(s).
There will be homework on this, but it will be due a bit later.
This assignment has two parts. Both are to find something interesting in a book or journal and report on it. The topic need NOT be what your project ends up being but it can be. The purpose of this is to get you into the library.
1. Book Reference Assignment. Find a math book that contains something interesting about geometry that might be a potential project for this course.
In an email to the math 445 list, (i) give the full bibliographic reference for this book and (ii) write a few sentences summarizing something interesting you found in the book.
The idea is that once you find the book you would spend about half and hour reading a couple of pages or so and then write up something you found. Since this is not your project, it is OK to find an interesting fact without necessarily figuring out the proofs, the reasons, the details. This is an initial reconnaissance mission.
Applications of math are OK if they are geometrical in a broad sense. There are applications of shape to biology, architecture, engineering, etc. Since there are many more than 16 books on campus with interesting things about geometry, your email should not duplicate the book described in any previous email from another member of the class. Also, the book should not be a textbook for this course.
Suggestions for where to look: The UW Math Research Library, the math collections in the Nat Sci collection in the Allen Library and in Odegaard. One approach would be to go the geometry section in the stacks and browse (also, math history and general math sections).
2. Journal Reference Assignment. Find an article in a journal or magazine that contains something interesting about geometry.
Then repeat what you did in (1), namely send an email with a precise bibliographical reference and a paragraph telling something interesting about the article.
Suggestions: Some journals you might browse include The Mathematical Intelligencer, Mathematics Magazine, The College Math Journal, the Mathematics Teacher, and Quantum.
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