“Geometry by Construction” includes the undergraduate research work of five AQ students.
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The undergraduate research work of five ñ students
have resulted in the development of their own geometry theorems. Aquinas math professor
Mike McDaniel, Ph.D. will be highlighting their work in his newly released geometry
textbook, “Geometry by Construction.”
The student researchers include: Noah Davis ‘15, who analyzed squaring the circle
in the hyperbolic disk; Jillian Duffey (Russo) ‘10, who worked on the hyperbolic polygonal
spirals; Nathan Poirier ‘11, who researched Alhazen’s hyperbolic billiard problem;
and Kyle Jansens ‘15 and Noah Davis, who worked together on a do-it-yourself problem
for squaring the circle.
Though all were working on unique projects, Davis, Duffey (Russo), Poirier and Jansens
assisted in the creation and verification of new geometrical ideas and provided constructions
for important geometric objects. All of their theorems have been reviewed by math
professors, verified as both new and true, were individually published in the Rose-Hulman
Undergraduate Math Journal, and have now been re-published in “Geometry by Construction.”
"Including undergraduate research as theorems is extremely unusual for any textbook
because these theorems have to be verified,” said McDaniel. “Luckily, four of my five
researchers have their work in refereed journals - their theorems are solid.”
“Geometry by Construction” was released in February 2015. ñ’s mathematics department promotes the study of mathematics in depth in preparation for graduate school or
an immediate career, supports the mathematical needs of other disciplines and supplies
a curriculum for all students to enhance their understanding of mathematical thought.