(1) The first challenge problems set for the workshop Monday, September 23 concerns computing the distance between a line and plane if four dimensional space.
(2) The second challenge problems set for the workshop Wednesday, October 2 concerns the Frenet-Seret equation is higher dimensions.
(3) The third challenge problems set for the workshop Monday, October 21 concerns the geomety of curves and Kepler's Laws.
(4) The fourth challenge problems set for the workshop Monday, November 4 concerns the solution of a Lagrange Multiplier problem using Newton's method.
(5) The fifth challenge problems set for the workshop Monday, November 18 concerns the "volume magnification factors" of linear tranformations from a point of view that has many other applications.
(6) The sixth challenge problems set for the wor kshop Wednesday, December 4 concernns divergence, curl, Laplacians, etc.
Background
The Math Department has required writeups of multistep, nonstandard problems (here referred to as "challenge problems") as part of the general calculus curriculum since 1995. This requirement is a consequence of our recognition that:
Written and oral communication of scientific and technical work is important and can be difficult.
Professor Stephen Greenfield has led the implementation of this policy at least for multivariable calculus, and the material on this page, apart form the assigment itself, is based on material on his web pages.
What is a writeup?
A writeup is a small essay. It should progress logically and be easy to read. It will be graded both on mathematical content and on presentation.
One very good reference on writing is The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It is quite brief. The fourth edition is a thin, reasonably priced paperback ($8). An early edition is available online.
Exposition is a skill which can be learned. The comments on your work are intended to help this process.
The rules
While you are encouraged to discuss the problem with other students, and will work together in groups, and are also encouraged to discuss the problems with the peer mentors and me, the written work you hand in must be your own writing. That is, if you are working in a group and another student in your group figures out a key idea for the solution, by all means, do include this idea in your write-up. However, make sure the explanation of this idea is your own. In short, work together on the solutions of the problems, but work by yourself in explaining the solution, once it is worked out. Please acknowledge any quotes and reference any sources, but as far as attributing insights to group memebers, simply say at the outset of your write-up the names of the people in your group: Give your write-up a title, under that write "by My Name" and in a line below that, write "Joint work with ...", listing the names.