Electronic Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics

New Orleans, Louisiana, October 28-31, 2004

Paper S029

This is an electronic reprint, reproduced by permission of Pearson Education Inc. Originally appeared in the Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Edited by Joanne Foster, ISBN 0-321-43792-6, Copyright (C) 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.


Introducing Topology Through Simulations Of Knot Tying And Band Forming Activities

Lisa Elaine Marano


Department of Mathematics
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA 19383

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ABSTRACT

In this presentation, we will discuss how an extension of a simple probability experiment can be used to introduce the notion of topologically equivalent. Through a series of activities, students are required to make conjectures and predictions, conduct in-class trials, run simulations, perform theoretical computations and write up a formal report.

Keyword(s): topology, simulation, probability