Home > Science Seminar > Fall 2004 Seminar Schedule > Circles of Curvature
The Science Seminar Series: November 4, 2004
Circles of Curvature: Geometric and Formulaic
Dr. Mylan Redfern, Head, Mathematics and Computer Science
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA, 31698
Place: Powell Hall
Time: 4:00 -5:00pm
Using the Computer Algebra System Maple, a colleague and I have developed computational materials for the calculus sequence. These materials are independent of any particular text and are meant to motivate and enrich the ideas and concepts that a student learns in calculus. The graphics capabilities, interactive nature, and ease of use make Maple a natural tool for integrating the learning and computational environments. This talk will illustrate these materials with an example about the circle of curvature at a point on the graph of a function. The notion is first illustrated geometrically and the student is asked to participate in this exercise using Maple. The geometrical observations lead the student naturally to the development of formulas for the center of curvature and then the circle of curvature.