MAA  Mathematical Association of America

Seaway Section

Location: Swan Business Center

1. Time:

   2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

   Title:

   Determining the Effect of the Pyramid Shape on Compost Scent and Microorganismal Growth

   Speaker:

   Elizabeth Klosko (SUNY Geneseo)

   Abstract

   SUNY Geneseo’s campus has a compost collecting program where students, faculty, and staff can empty their compostable items into bins which are collected weekly. However, the bins release a putrid scent when opened, deterring SUNY Geneseo community members from using them. Certain scientists theorize and have shown that the pyramid shape, when exactly scaled to the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza, has properties that can limit the growth of microorganisms and therefore reduce foul smell. Using a 3-D printing device, we scaled the Great Pyramid of Giza to the size of the current personal compost buckets. Then, we extracted both bacterial and fungal DNA from the samples and used statistical testing to determine if the new bucket design significantly reduces microorganismal growth and foul scent.

2. Time:

   2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

   Title:

   Some Prime Numbers Inequalities

   Speakers:

   Sophia Tiffany (SUNY Brockport), Gabriel Prajitura (SUNY Brockport)

   Abstract

   We explore a certain type of general inequality for prime numbers and show that in all cases it is eventually true. Based on this general result and some numerical experiments we determine exactly the range for which five particular cases are true.

3. Time:

   2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

   Title:

   A Buffer Inequality

   Speaker:

   Kaleigh Perkins (SUNY Brockport)

   Abstract

   I improved a well known inequality by succeeding to put a buffer in between its terms.