Abstracts of papers appearing in "Topics in Recreational Mathematics Volume 5," edited by Charles Ashbacher. ISBN 978-1519115676

Abstracts of papers appearing in Topics in Recreational Mathematics Volume 5, edited by Charles Ashbacher. ISBN 978-1519115676

Here Comes the Sun.  Gimme Shelter?

Paul M. Sommers
Department of Economics
Middlebury College
psommers@middlebury.edu

Abstract

 Based on daily ultraviolet (UV) index forecasts over three years (2006 through 2008) in fifty-seven cities (at least one for each state), this paper examines the relationship between melanoma skin cancer incidence rates and sun exposure.  There is no evidence of a positive association between the two variables.  When the sample is divided into two groups, cities above the 37^th parallel (associated with less sun exposure) and those below, there is surprisingly no statistically discernible difference between the two average skin cancer rates.  And, when the sample is divided into four census regions, skin cancer incidence rates are, on average, highest not in the South or West, but in the Northeast. 

The Apollonius Circles of Rank

Professor Ion Patrascu
Fratii Buzesti National College
Craiova, Romania

Professor Florentin Smarandache
New Mexico University, Gallup, NM USA

Abstract

 The purpose of this article is to introduce the notion of the Apollonius circle of rank k and generalize some results on Apollonius circles.

A Tale of Two  …  Umm Three Zitis

Casey Y. Park, Theodora L. Yoch, Eleanor G. Kaufman and Paul M. Sommers

Department of Economics

Middlebury College

psommers@middlebury.edu

Abstract

 Choosing a restaurant is only one click away, thanks to numerous restaurant rating websites.  Zagat uses a 30-point scale to rate food quality, décor, and service to help diners decide where to eat.  Using a series of two-sample t-tests, the authors examine Italian food dining experience in three U.S. cities with large numbers of Italian Americans – Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The median cost is used to divide each of the three samples into less and more expensive Italian restaurants.  Overall, the results suggest that Chicago has the highest average ratings in all three categories.

On the Non-randomness of the Beast Number

N.E.Myridis

Assistant Professor

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greece 54124

e-mail: nmyridis@theo.auth.gr

Abstract

 This paper relates abstract studies with mathematical research. This work falls into the field of the arithmetic of revelation; moreover it relates to –maybe- the most curious number of history, i.e. 666. The present paper reveals the non-randomness of this number regarding its unique reference in the Bible in the book of Revelation.

On A Deconcatenation Problem

Henry Ibstedt

henry.ibstedt@gmail.com

Abstract

 In a recent study of the Primality of the Smarandache Symmetric Sequences, Sabin and Tatiana Tabirca [1] observed a very high frequency of the prime factor 333667 in the factorization of the terms of the second order sequence. The question if this prime factor occurs periodically was raised. The odd behaviour of this and a few other primefactors of this sequence will be explained and details of the periodic occurance of this and of several other prime factors will be given.

http://www.amazon.com/Topics-Recreational-Mathematics-Charles-Ashbacher/dp/1519115679/