2008 Annual Meeting
Abstracts for Local Invited Talks


Phone: 616-331-2040
Department of Mathematics

2307 Mackinac Hall
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI 49401

Eddie Cheng, Oakland University
Friday, 10:50 a.m.

"Real Problems from Operations Research"














Abstract: In this talk, we present two real problems from operations research that are accessible for undergraduate students. The first one is the instructor assignment problem for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Oakland University. In this problem, the goal is to optimize the overall faculty satisfaction level with their timetable. The second problem is to mathematically determine, as early as possible, whether a team in the NHL has clinched a playoff spot or has been eliminated from the playoff. Both problems can be formulated as an integer program using techniques from a first course in operations research. Indeed, the research of the second problem was done jointly with an undergraduate.





Stephanie Edwards, Hope College
Friday, 10:50 a.m.

 "Problems Posed by Polya"














Abstract:  Many open problems in entire function theory, specifically the distribution of zeros of real entire functions, can be traced back to work by G. Polya.  One of the problems stated in a Polya and Szego text from the early 1900's is: If P is a real polynomial with only real zeros, find the number of non-real zeros of P2+P’. If one removes the hypothesis that P has only real zeros, the problem becomes quite hard and was not solved until the 1980's.

We will discuss a simple solution to the P2+P’ problem, look at natural questions that arise from the problem, and discuss some open questions that have their roots in Polya.




Joan Remski,
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Saturday, 10:05 a.m.

"A Geometric Approach to the Singular Value Decomposition"










Abstract: In this talk, the singular value decomposition (SVD) is  
constructed geometrically. This approach allows one to study the SVD  
and symmetric Schur factorization before introducing the eigenvalue  
problem. Applications, including the SVD analysis of cryptograms, will  
also be presented.



Aklilu Zeleke, Lyman Briggs College of
Michigan State University, Dept of Statistics and Probability
Saturday, 10:05 a.m.

 "Variable Coefficient ODEs:  On solving a class of ODE with variable coefficients"












Abstract: We present a method for solving a wide class of second order ODEs with variable coefficients. General solutions for the homogeneous case as well as the method of undetermined coefficients for finding particular solutions of the non-homogeneous case will be discussed.
  Last Modified Date: March 31, 2008
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