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Combinatorial Trigonometry (and a method to DIE for)
Special Events| Speaker: | Arthur T. Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College |
| Location: | 2112 MSB |
| Start time: | Wed, Jul 23 2008, 12:10PM |
Many trigonometric identities, including the Pythagorean theorem, have combinatorial proofs. Furthermore, some combinatorial problems have trigonometric solutions. All of these problems can be reduced to alternating sums, and are attacked by a technique we call D.I.E. (Description, Involution, Exception). This technique offers new insights to identities involving binomial coefficients, Fibonacci numbers, derangements, zig-zag permutations, and Chebyshev polynomials.
Professor Benjamin is also giving a "Mathemagics" presentation this evening 5-6pm in 1100 Social Science Humanities Lecture Hall for the general public (suitable for high school students). Please see http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~vazirani/mathfest/ for more details.
Professor Benjamin is also giving a "Mathemagics" presentation this evening 5-6pm in 1100 Social Science Humanities Lecture Hall for the general public (suitable for high school students). Please see
