The “Friday Afternoon Mathematics Undergraduate Seminar” (FAMUS) is a weekly event consisting of announcements, talks, and faculty interviews. FAMUS takes place most Fridays at 3:00-4:00pm in Room 164 of the Adel Mathematics Building. Typically the first half of FAMUS consists of a talk on a mathematical topic while an interview of a faculty member takes place in the second half. FAMUS is hosted by Jeff Rushall.
Come join us for some entertaining talks! Refreshments always served.
Note that talks are listed in reverse chronological order.
Date: February 28, 2025
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: A “super heronian triangle” is any triangle whose side lengths are consecutive positive integers and whose area is also an integer. Do any even exist? The answer is yes: the familiar 3-4-5 right triangle is super heronian. Are there any others? Well, if you come to FAMUS this Friday, I’ll tell you!
There is no faculty interview this week. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: February 21, 2025
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: Any positive integer that can be written as the sum of 2 or more consecutive positive integers is called a “polite number.” Any positive integer that CANNOT be written as the sum of 2 or more consecutive positive integers is called an “impolite number.” So which positive integers are polite, which are impolite, and why do we care? Come to FAMUS and find out!
There is no faculty interview this week. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: February 14, 2025
Speaker: Robert Buscaglia (NAU)
Abstract: DataFest is a world-wide competition hosted by the American Statistical Association. DataFest challenges undergraduate students with real life data sets and applications, requiring the use of a variety of skills including Mathematics, Statistics, Data Handling and Management, Data Analysis, and lots of Computing! Details will be provided regarding NAU’s first ever solo DataFest competition – ASA DataFest@NAU 2025! This will include information regarding previous DataFest competitions, what the competition weekend entails, testimonials from previous “DataFesters”, how and what to prepare for the competition, and you can even sign up right on the spot! A great way to get ready for DataFest will be to engage with our newly created “Data Science Club” here at NAU. The president of this newly formed club will speak about the potential activities of the club and what being a member of the Data Science club would entail. If you are interested in analysis, data science, or working with “Big Data”, we encourage you to come check out this week’s FAMUS to learn more about these exciting events happening here at NAU’s mountain campus!
In lieu of a faculty interview, we will pepper Robert (and friends) with all manner of questions related to DataFest, Date Science, the Date Science Club, etc. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: February 7, 2025
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: A perfect squared square is a big square formed from a bunch of smaller squares, each of a different size, with no overlaps or gaps. Constructing them is very tricky, and at one time was thought to be impossible. I will discuss the history of the attempt to build a perfect squared square and show some progress that has been made. And show some fun pictures of Canada.
There is no faculty interview this week. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: January 31, 2025
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: I will define the Platonic solids, present a short “history” of their discovery/creation, and talk a bit about generalizations.
There is no faculty interview this week. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: January 24, 2025
Speaker: Eliza Todd and Iris Zepezauer (NAU)
Abstract: Eliza Todd and Iris Zepezauer, two undergraduate students who have been working on an undergraduate research project with me (Jeff Rushall) on, yes, the second neighborhood conjecture and related questions. Iris and Eliza will present background info and show some new results they have “discovered” (with a huge amount of help from Morgan Boyers, another undergrad on their research team).
The interviewees this week are Iris and Eliza. I will pepper them with questions related to undergraduate research. [PDF of Flyer]