MAT390 HISTORY OF MATHEMATIC
RESEARCH PAPERS
FORMAT: All papers are to be printed on one side of 8½ by 11 paper double-spaced with 11 or
12-point font. Use the MLA format that you were taught in your freshman English classes.
The cover page should have the title in the middle. In the lower right hand corner type each of the
following on a separate line: Your name, History of Mathematics, the date due, and the problem
number(s) pertaining to your paper.
The next page should be an abstract. An abstract is a concise synopsis (100-150 words) of the report
that (1) introduces the topic, (2) briefly describes the method of investigation, (3) details the main
findings, and (4) states the general conclusions and implications of these findings. If your report is
published, the abstract may be separated from the report and entered into a computerized database;
therefore, it should be comprehensible on its own. It should be on the second page of your report,
single spaced, and centered on the page with two-inch left and right margins
Papers will vary in length but ten to fourteen pages would be normal. You should begin with several
pages of writing that set the scene for your problem. That is, the historic significance of the
problem, the times, and/or a mathematician(s) associated with the problem. You should then solve
the problem. Please identify the problem by number in your paper. Finally, several paragraphs of
summary would be appropriate. Include a bibliography. Use appendices if you need to attach
material that is copied from other sources. Sample papers are available for your viewing in my
office and on my website.
Papers will be collected at the beginning of class on the due date and will not be returned to students
so it will be necessary for you to make a copy for yourself. In addition, you will also submit an
electronic version of your paper by 2 PM on the due date. This version should be in Microsoft Word
and submitted on the web at https://inbox.ycp.edu. The entire paper should be in one folder with a
title of Surname-Paper#.
SOURCES: Papers are based on research. Research sources might include but are not limited to,
our text, encyclopedias, library books, periodicals, my personal library, mathematics faculty, and
the Internet. Sources should be relevant and reliable. You should be adept at summarizing,
paraphrasing and citing from your sources. In all cases you must avoid plagiarism. Do not copy a
phrase, sentence, or passage without citing the source. Do not summarize or paraphrase without
acknowledging the source. It is expected that there will be considerable material cited. Place
quotation marks around direct quotes with an appropriate citation. In addition, cite the source for
any ideas borrowed from someone else, even if you state the idea in your own words. You may also
photocopy or download sources for your paper and use them as appendices. Be sure to cite the
source for each of these appendices.
At the same time, if you have a creative streak, do not hesitate to use it. If you have a unique way to
approach the subject of the paper that involves original thoughts and creative writing do not hesitate
to use that approach.
Do not buy papers, have a friend write them, or copy another student’s work.
Abstract
This paper defines a magic square and displays how magic
squares can be constructed. The ancient history of magic squares
was researched and is summarized. World records for magic
squares are presented. It examines magic squares in art and
literature. Magic cubes and magic starts are also presented. The
paper concludes with some famous magic squares, including one
constructed by Benjamin Franklin. Magic squares are used in
numerology and are still studied and admired.
CITATIONS: Please use MLA citations in your work.
1.
Author not named in your text.
One researcher concluded that, “Descartes’ analytic geometry can cope with the
general problem and is a fine tribute to the power of the new method” (Eves 349).
Work cited entry.
Eves, Howard. An Introduction to the History of Mathematics. New York,
Saunders College Publishing, 1990.
2.
Author named in text.
The author of our text, Eves, concludes that, “Descartes’ analytic geometry
can cope with the general problem and is a fine tribute to the power of the new
method” (349).
Work cited entry.
Eves, Howard. An Introduction to the History of Mathematics. New York,
Saunders College Publishing, 1990.
3.
Journal Article.
Sharna states, “an algebraic method is available that has the double advantage of
providing a nonstandard, but still elegant, application of the discriminate conditions
as well as an exact method of optimization for these problems” (574).
Work cited entry.
Sharna, Alan. “Max and Min Problems Using the Discriminate.” The
Mathematics Teacher. Oct. 1996: 574-575.
4.
An article in a reference work.
“René Descartes was born near Tours in 1596. At the age of eight, he was
sent to the Jesuit school at La Flèche.” (Snyder, Vol 12, p234.)
Work cited entry.
Snyder, Fred. “Descartes and His Philosophy.” The New Encyclopedia
Britannica: Macropaedia. 15th ed. 1996.
5.
Paraphrase citations within the text. (Should be brief.)
One article mentioned that Descartes was most productive for the twenty
years he lived in Paris. (Eves 347)
Work cited entry.
Eves, Howard. An Introduction to the History of Mathematics. New York,
Saunders College Publishing, 1990.
6.
Electronic sources.
As pointed out by Miller, “...when Descartes heard of Galileo’s condemnation by the
Church he abandoned his writing of a physical account of the universe.”
Work cited entry.
Miller,
Elizabeth.
“On
Descartes
and
http://www.tamu.edu/math/bios/03descart.html (21 Sep. 1998).
His
Writings.”
Information for this hand out was paraphrased from:
Fowler, H. Ramsey, and Jane E. Aaron. The Little, Brown Book. 7th ed. New
York: Longman, 1997.
The following is a suggested time frame for your papers.
3 weeks before due date select the topic.
Immediately after selecting the topic start your bibliography search.
You should be compiling notes as you do your bibliographic search.
Ten days before the due date write your outline.
Finish your first draft by 6 days from due date.
Immediately take your first draft to the Writing Center.
Spend the last three days revising and typing your paper.
Using Microsoft Equation Editor
In writing papers it may often be necessary to insert equations. Microsoft Word can to that quite
easily with its equation editor program. The equation editor is located under the Standard Toolbar,
under Object under Microsoft Equation 3.0.
It may be useful for you to add this editor to your Standard Toolbar. At the end of the Standard
Toolbar click on the down arrow to “add or remove buttons”. Click on the last option
customize…Click on Insert and page down until you find the  Equation Editor button. Drag it
to the location on the toolbar you want and drop it. Now when you want to insert an equation you
only need to click on that icon.
The following is an example of the use of Microsoft Equation Editor.
The quadratic equation is given by
x
 b  b 2  4ac
.
2a
Incidentally, an equation may be edited after it is inserted into the document. Right click on the
equation giving you a box that allows you to size the equation. Then right click on that box and
select Equation Object and then select edit.
Equation Editor has a website with lots of handy hints and of course an opportunity to purchase a
more sophisticated version of its editor. Visit www.mathtype.com/features/ee_tips.stm