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The Mathematical Exploration Internal Assessment

List of 200 ideas/topics for a Mathematical Exploration

The topics listed here range from fairly broad to quite narrow in scope. It is possible that some of these 200 could be the title or focus of a Mathematical Exploration, while others will require you to investigate further to identify a narrower focus to explore. Do not restrict yourself only to the topics listed below. This list is only the tip of the iceberg with regard to potential topics for your Mathematical Exploration. Reading through this list may stimulate you to think of some other topic in which you would be interested in exploring. Many of the items listed below may be unfamiliar to you. A quick search on the internet should give you a better idea what each is about and help you determine if youre interested enough to investigate further and see if it might be a suitable topic for your Mathematical Exploration.
Algebra and number theory Modular arithmetic Applications of complex numbers General solution of a cubic equation Patterns in Pascals triangle Pythagorean triples Loci and complex numbers Egyptian fractions Chinese remainder theorem Twin primes problem Odd perfect numbers Factorable sets of integers of the form ak + b Combinatorics art of counting Roots of unity Recurrence expressions for phi (golden ratio) Geometry Non-Euclidean geometries Ptolemys theorem Geodesic domes Tesseract a 4D cube Penrose tiles Cavalieris principle Hexaexagons Proofs of Pythagorean theorem Map projections Morleys theorem Packing 2D and 3D shapes Herons formula Minimal surfaces and soap bubbles Tiling the plane tessellations Cycloid curve Goldbachs conjecture Diophantine equations Applications of logarithms Finding prime numbers Mersenne primes Matrices and Cramers rule Complex numbers and transformations Fermats last theorem Hypercomplex numbers Euclidean algorithm for GCF Algebraic congruences Boolean algebra Fermats little theorem Probabilistic number theory Continued fractions Polar equations Random numbers Magic squares and cubes Divisibility tests Eulers identity: ei + 1 = 0 Natural logarithms of complex numbers Diophantine application: Cole numbers Palindrome numbers Inequalities related to Fibonacci numbers Graphical representation of roots of complex numbers Prime number sieves

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Geometry (continued) Symmetries of spider webs Fermat point for polygons and polyhedra Conic sections Regular polyhedra Stacking cannon balls Conic sections as loci of points Mandelbrot set and fractal shapes Squaring the circle Architecture and trigonometry Geometric structure of the universe Fractal tilings Picks theorem and lattices Nine-point circle Eulers formula for polyhedra Cevas theorem for triangles Consecutive integral triangles Curves of constant width Polyominoes Spherical geometry Rigid and non-rigid geometric structures Calculus/analysis and functions Mean value theorem Applications of power series Brachistochrone (minimum time) problem Hyperbolic functions Projectile motion Torricellis trumpet (Gabriels horn) Newtons law of cooling Second order dierential equations The harmonic series Why e is base of natural logarithm function Statistics and modelling Trac ow Modelling epidemics/spread of a virus Central limit theorem Modelling radioactive decay Regression to the mean Logistic function and constrained growth Modelling the shape of a birds egg Modelling change in record performances for a sport Least squares regression Modelling growth of computer power past few decades Probability and probability distributions The Monty Hall problem Insurance and calculating risks Lotteries Normal distribution and natural phenomena Monte Carlo simulations Poisson distribution and queues Bayes theorem Medical tests and probability Random walks Determination of by probability Birthday paradox Probability and expectation Modelling growth of tumours Correlation coecients Hypothesis testing Modelling the carrying capacity of the earth Integrating to innity Fundamental theorem of calculus LHpitals rule and evaluating limits Torus solid of revolution Euler line of a triangle Properties of a regular pentagon Geometry of the catenary curve Eratosthenes measuring earths circumference Constructing a cone from a circle Area of an ellipse Sierpinksi triangle Reuleaux triangle Gyroid a minimal surface Tangrams

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The Mathematical Exploration Internal Assessment

Games and game theory The prisoners dilemma Poker and other card games Zero sum games Topology and networks Knots Travelling salesman problem Mbius strip Steiner problem Knigsberg bridge problem Klein bottle Logic and sets Codes and ciphers Proof by contradiction Set theory and dierent size innities Zenos paradox of Achilles and the tortoise Numerical analysis Linear programming Applications of iteration Generating the number e Fixed-point iteration Newtons method Descartes rule of signs Physical, biological and social sciences Radiocarbon dating Biostatistics Computing centres of mass Fibonacci sequence and spirals in nature Concepts of equilibrium in economics Column buckling Euler theory Miscellaneous Paper folding Mathematical card tricks Applications of parabolas Flatland by Edwin Abbott Photography Sundials Construction of calendars Mathematics of juggling Origami Design of product packaging Designing bridges Currys paradox missing square Music notes, pitches, scales Terminal velocity Art of M.C. Escher Navigational systems Slide rules Global positioning system (GPS) Napiers bones Mathematics of weaving Mathematics of rotating gears Bar codes Voting systems Towers of Hanoi puzzle Harmonic mean The abacus Dierent number systems Optical illusions Celtic designs/knotwork Gravity, orbits and escape velocity Genetics Elliptical orbits Predicting an eclipse Mathematics of the credit crunch Mathematical methods in economics Crystallography Logarithmic scales decibel, Richter, etc. Change in a persons BMI over time Branching patterns of plants Methods of approximating Estimating size of large crowds Methods for solving dierential equations Mathematical induction (strong) Four colour map theorem Chinese postman problem Handshake problem Sudoku Knights tour in chess Gamblers fallacy Billiards and snooker

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