Exploring the fundamental theorem of arithmetic in excel 2007

This paper discusses how fundamentals of number theory, such as unique prime factorization and greatest common divisor can be made accessible to secondary school students through spreadsheets. In addition, the three basic multiplicative functions of number theory are defined and illustrated through a spreadsheet environment. Primes are defined simply as those natural numbers with just two divisors. One focus of the paper is to show the ease with which spreadsheets can be used to introduce students to some basics of elementary number theory. Complete instructions are given to build a spreadsheet to enable the user to input a positive integer, either with a slider or manually, and see the prime decomposition. The spreadsheet environment allows students to observe patterns, gain structural insight, form and test conjectures, and solve problems in elementary number theory.

On the theorem of Reichert

This paper reworks and amplifies Reichert's proof of his theorem (1969) which asserts that any impedance function of a one-port electrical network which can be realised with two reactive elements and an arbitrary number of resistors can be realised with two reactive elements and three resistors. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Generalization of a Theorem of Boyd and Lawton

Ce mémoire s’applique à étudier d’abord, dans la première partie, la mesure de Mahler des polynômes à une seule variable. Il commence en donnant des définitions et quelques résultats pertinents pour le calcul de telle hauteur. Il aborde aussi le sujet de la question de Lehmer, la conjecture la plus célèbre dans le domaine, donne quelques exemples et résultats ayant pour but de résoudre la question. Ensuite, il y a l’extension de la mesure de Mahler sur les polynômes à plusieurs variables, une démarche semblable au premier cas de la mesure de Mahler, et le sujet des points limites avec quelques exemples. Dans la seconde partie, on commence par donner des définitions concernant un ordre supérieur de la mesure de Mahler, et des généralisations en passant des polynômes simples aux polynômes à plusieurs variables. La question de Lehmer existe aussi dans le domaine de la mesure de Mahler supérieure, mais avec des réponses totalement différentes. À la fin, on arrive à notre objectif, qui sera la démonstration de la généralisation d’un théorème de Boyd-Lawton, ce dernier met en évidence une relation entre la mesure de Mahler des polynômes à plusieurs variables avec la limite de la mesure de Mahler des polynômes à une seule variable. Ce résultat a des conséquences en termes de la conjecture de Lehmer et sert à clarifier la relation entre les valeurs de la mesure de Mahler des polynômes à une variable et celles des polynômes à plusieurs variables, qui, en effet, sont très différentes en nature.

Virtual communities and strategic learning of calculus in enginery. 'Comunidades virtuales y el aprendizaje estratégico de cálculo en ingeniería'.

Resumen basado en el de la publicación

Comments on "finite-time stability theorem of stochastic nonlinear systems" [Automatica 46 (2010) 2105-2108]

In this comment, we will point out some errors existing in Chen and Jiao (2010) from definitions to the proof of the main result, where the authors discussed the finite-time stability of stochastic nonlinear systems and proved a Lyapunov theorem on the finitetime stability.

A finite-time stability theorem of stochastic nonlinear systems and stabilization designs

This paper focuses on the finite-time stability and stabilization designs of stochastic nonlinear systems. We first present and discuss a definition on the finite-time stability in probability of stochastic nonlinear systems, then we introduce a stochastic Lyapunov theorem on the finite-time stability, which has been established by Yin et al. We also employ this theorem to design a continuous state feedback controller that makes a class of stochastic nonlinear systems to be stable in finite time. An example and a simulation are given to illustrate the theoretical analysis.

A cross-national study of calculus

The results from a cross-national study comparing calculus performance of students at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai and students at the University of Michigan before and after their first university calculus course are presented. Overall, ECNU significantly outperformed Michigan on both the pre- and post-tests, but the Michigan students showed a larger gain and normalized gain, and hence narrowed the gap. ECNU's superior performance was especially striking on the subset of problems requiring only a pre-calculus background. On those, Michigan's post-test scores were below ECNU's pre-test scores and, indeed, ECNU's higher performance on both the overall pre-test and overall post-test is attributable to its success on these problems.

Investigation into the impact of embedded generators on distribution system performance using theorem of superposition

Since the 1980s, huge efforts have been made to utilise renewable energy sources to generate electric power. One of the interesting issues about embedded generators is the question of optimal placement and sizing of the embedded generators. This paper reports an investigation of impact of the integration of embedded generators on the overall performances of the distribution networks in the steady state, using theorem of superposition. Set of distribution system indices is proposed to observe performances of the distribution networks with embedded generators. Results obtained from the case study using IEEE test network are presented and discussed.

Use of calculus of variations to determine the shape of hovering rotors of minimum power and its application to micro air vehicles

In this paper, calculus of variations and combined blade element and momentum theory (BEMT) are used to demonstrate that, in hover, when neither root nor tip losses are considered; the rotor, which minimizes the total power (MPR), generates an induced velocity that varies linearly along the blade span. The angle of attack of every blade element is constant and equal to its optimum value. The traditional ideal twist (ITR) and optimum (OR) rotors are revisited in the context of this variational framework. Two more optimum rotors are obtained considering root and tip losses, the ORL, and the MPRL. A comparison between these five rotors is presented and discussed. The MPR and MPRL present a remarkable saving of power for low values of both thrust coefficient and maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The result obtained can be exploited to improve the aerodynamic behaviour of rotary wing micro air vehicles (MAV). A comparison with experimental results obtained from the literature is presented.

Observations on the nature and cure of calculus, sea scurvy, consumption, catarrh, and fever: together with conjectures upon several other subjects of physiology and pathology.

Includes two memoirs (p. 171-252) on the laws and on the principle of irritability, translated by Mr. Woodhouse from the French of Dr. Girtanner. The memoirs appeared originally in Observations sur la physique, sur l'histoire naturelle et sur les arts, 1790, vol. xxxvi, p. 422-440; vol. xxxvii, p. 139-154.

A solution of the trigonometric moment problem via Tagamlitzki's "Theorem of the Cones"

In 1952 Y. Tagamlitzki gave an elegant proof of the classical Bochner’s theorem on the positively definite functions. Unfortunately, he never published his proof. In this paper we consider a related but simpler problem, the trigonometric moment problem, by using Tagamlitzki’s approach.