Dr. S. D. Manjarekar (Ph.D.), BoS in Mathematics and Statistics, S. P. P. U. , Pune

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Fibonacci sequence and pattern recognition


     The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical sequence that starts with 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the two preceding ones. So the sequence begins: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on.

       Pattern recognition can be applied to the Fibonacci sequence in various ways. Here are a few examples:

     Ratio between consecutive Fibonacci numbers: As the Fibonacci sequence progresses, the ratio between consecutive numbers approaches the golden ratio, approximately 1.6180339887. This ratio is found by dividing any number in the sequence by the previous number. For example, 21 divided by 13 is approximately 1.615, which is quite close to the golden ratio.

     Spiral pattern: By drawing squares with sides equal to the Fibonacci numbers and connecting their corners with a curve, known as the Fibonacci spiral, you can observe a pattern found in nature. Many natural phenomena, such as the arrangement of seeds in a sunflower, the shape of seashells, and the branching of trees, exhibit a similar spiral pattern.

      Sum of even Fibonacci numbers: If you sum up only the even numbers in the Fibonacci sequence, you get a separate sequence: 0, 2, 8, 34, 144, and so on. This sequence also exhibits its own pattern, where each number is approximately four times the preceding number.

      Prime numbers: Although most Fibonacci numbers are not prime, there are some notable exceptions. For example, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 13th, and 89th Fibonacci numbers are all prime. However, prime numbers do not occur regularly in the Fibonacci sequence.

     These are just a few examples of pattern recognition in the Fibonacci sequence. The sequence has fascinated mathematicians and enthusiasts alike due to its numerous connections to nature, art, and mathematics.





Wednesday, June 28, 2023

History of Fibonacci Sequence – I

             The Fibonacci sequence was first described in Indian mathematics as early as 200 B. C. in work by Pingala on enumerating possible patterns of Sanskrit poetry formed from syllables of two lengths. The sequence is named after the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, who introduced the sequence to Western European mathematics in his 1202 book Liber Abaci.

           Fibonacci numbers appear unexpectedly often in mathematics, so much so that there is an entire journal dedicated to their study, the Fibonacci Quarterly. They have been found in the branching patterns of plants, the spiral arrangements of sunflower seeds, and the proportions of the human body. There are several possible explanations for why the Fibonacci sequence appears so often in nature. One possibility is that it is a consequence of the way that plants and animals grow. For example, the Fibonacci sequence can be seen in the arrangement of leaves on a stem, where each leaf grows at a slightly different angle from the previous leaf. This arrangement allows the leaves to receive the maximum amount of sunlight.

             Another possibility is that the Fibonacci sequence is simply a result of chance. However, the fact that the sequence appears so often in nature suggests that there may be a deeper reason for its existence. The Fibonacci sequence is a fascinating mathematical phenomenon that has been studied for centuries. It is a reminder of the beauty and order that can be found in the natural world.

Here are some additional details about the history of the Fibonacci sequence:

1] The Fibonacci sequence was first described in Indian mathematics in the work of Pingala, a Sanskrit grammarian and mathematician who lived in the 2nd century B.C. Pingala used the sequence to describe the patterns of long and short syllables in Vedic poetry.

2] The Fibonacci sequence was introduced to Western Europe by Leonardo Fibonacci, an Italian mathematician who lived in the 13th century. Fibonacci learned about the sequence during his travels to North Africa, where he encountered the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. He introduced the sequence to Western Europe in his book Liber Abaci, which was published in 1202.

3] The Fibonacci sequence has been studied by mathematicians for centuries. In the 19th century, Édouard Lucas proved that the sequence has many interesting properties, such as the fact that the ratio of consecutive Fibonacci numbers approaches the golden ratio as the numbers get larger.

4] The Fibonacci sequence has been found to have applications in many different fields, including mathematics, biology, computer science, and architecture. It is a fascinating example of how mathematical principles can be found in the natural world.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Mathematics behind foucault pendulum

           The Foucault pendulum is a device that demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. It was invented by the French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851. The motion of the pendulum is governed by several mathematical principles:

      Pendulum Motion: The motion of a pendulum follows the principles of simple harmonic motion. For a small amplitude of oscillation, the motion of the pendulum can be approximated by a simple harmonic oscillator, where the period of oscillation depends on the length of the pendulum.

      Earth's Rotation: The rotation of the Earth introduces an apparent change in the direction of the pendulum's swing. As the Earth rotates, the pendulum appears to rotate clockwise (or counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere) due to the Coriolis effect. This effect is caused by the rotation of the Earth and the inertia of the pendulum.

      Coriolis Effect: The Coriolis effect is a result of the rotation of the Earth. It causes a deflection in the motion of objects moving in a rotating reference frame. In the case of the Foucault pendulum, the Coriolis effect causes the pendulum to change its plane of oscillation gradually over time. The rate of change depends on the latitude of the pendulum's location and the period of oscillation.

    The mathematical equation that describes the motion of the Foucault pendulum is derived from the combination of the equations for simple harmonic motion and the Coriolis effect. The equation is given by:

θ(t) = θ0 * sin(2πt/T)

where:

θ(t) is the angle of the pendulum at time t.

θ0 is the initial angle of the pendulum.

T is the period of the pendulum's oscillation.

t is the time elapsed since the pendulum was set in motion.

The Coriolis effect introduces a precession in the plane of oscillation, causing the amplitude of the pendulum's swing to decrease over time. The rate of precession is given by:

ωp = (2π * sin(φ)) / T

where:

ωp is the rate of precession.

φ is the latitude of the location where the pendulum is located.

The Foucault pendulum is an elegant demonstration of the rotation of the Earth and the principles of simple harmonic motion and the Coriolis effect. It provides a visual representation of these mathematical concepts.


Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Ways to find Cloned Journals....

 

                             Finding a cloned journal can be a challenging task, as it involves identifying deceptive or predatory publishing practices. Here are some steps you can take to help identify a cloned journal:

[1] Conduct a Thorough Background Check: Start by researching the journal in question. Look for information about its publisher, editorial board, and peer-review process. Reputable journals usually provide clear and transparent information about these aspects on their websites. Cloned journals often have fake publishers. To check the publisher, you can look for the journal's website and see if it is listed on the publisher's website. You can also try to contact the publisher directly to verify that they are the real publisher of the journal.

[2] Examine the Journal's Website and Content: Pay attention to the website design, layout, and overall quality. Cloned journals often mimic the appearance of legitimate journals, but they may have poorly designed websites or contain grammatical errors and typos. Analyse the published articles and assess their quality and scientific rigor. Look for any signs of plagiarism or recycled content.

[3] Check the Journal's Indexing and Impact factor: Consult relevant indexing databases like Web of Science, Scopus, or PubMed to verify if the journal is indexed. Reputable journals usually strive to be included in well-established indexing databases. Additionally, check the journal's impact factor, if available. Predatory journals often claim to have unrealistically high impact factors or manipulate metrics to appear more reputable. Cloned journals are often not indexed in reputable databases. To check the indexing, you can look for the journal's website and see if it is listed in any reputable databases. You can also try to find the journal in a library and see if it is indexed in any databases.

[4] Verify Editorial Board: Look for information about the journal's editorial board members. Search for their names, affiliations, and areas of expertise. Reputable researchers typically have a strong presence in their respective fields and are associated with well-known institutions. Be cautious if the editorial board is composed of individuals with questionable credentials or if their affiliations are unknown or suspicious.  Cloned journals often have fake editors or reviewers. To verify the editor or reviewers, you can look for their names on the journal's website and see if they are listed on any other reputable journals. You can also try to contact the editor or reviewers directly to verify that they are the real editor or reviewers of the journal.

[5] Check the Number of Volumes Published: Cloned journals often have a very low number of volumes published. To check the number of volumes published, you can look for the journal's website and see how many volumes have been published. You can also try to find the journal in a library and see how many volumes are available.

[6] Assess Peer - Review Process: A robust peer-review process is essential for maintaining the quality of scholarly journals. Investigate whether the journal clearly outlines its peer-review policy and process. Lack of transparency or claims of rapid or no peer review can be red flags. Cloned journals often have a very quick review process. To check the review process, you can look for the journal's website and see how long it takes for articles to be reviewed. You can also try to find out if the journal has a double-blind review process.

[7] Seek Advice from Colleagues and Experts: Reach out to your peers, colleagues, or mentors who have experience in publishing and scholarly communication. They might be able to provide insights or share their knowledge about the specific journal you are investigating.

[8] Consult Reputable Resources and Directories: Several resources are available that list reputable journals and publishers, such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) or the Cabell's Blacklist/Whitelist. These resources can help you identify potential cloned or predatory journals.

          Here are some additional tips to help you avoid publishing in a cloned journal:

[A] Do your research. Before you submit your article to a journal, take some time to research the journal and its publisher. Make sure that the journal is reputable and that it has a good reputation for publishing high-quality research.

[B] Be wary of journals that charge high fees. Reputable journals typically do not charge authors to publish their articles. If a journal is charging a high fee, it is a red flag that the journal may be predatory.

[C] Be wary of journals that have a quick turnaround time. Reputable journals typically have a rigorous review process that can take several months or even years. If a journal is offering to publish your article quickly, it is a red flag that the journal may be predatory.

[D] Be wary of journals that do not have a clear peer review process. Reputable journals typically have a double-blind peer review process, which means that the reviewers do not know the identity of the authors and the authors do not know the identity of the reviewers. If a journal does not have a clear peer review process, it is a red flag that the journal may be predatory.

                  By following these tips, you can help to avoid publishing in a cloned journal and protect your academic reputation. Remember, the process of identifying a cloned journal requires careful investigation and critical thinking. It's important to evaluate multiple factors and consider a combination of evidence before drawing conclusions

Thursday, June 1, 2023

History of Fermat's Last Theorem

                              Fermat's Last Theorem is one of the most famous mathematical problems in history. It was proposed by Pierre de Fermat, a French lawyer and amateur mathematician, in the 17th century. Fermat's Last Theorem states that no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy the equation a^{n} + b^{n} = c^{n} for any integer value of n greater than 2.

                        Fermat first mentioned this theorem in the margin of his copy of the book "Arithmetica" by the ancient Greek mathematician Diophantus. Fermat claimed that he had discovered a "truly marvelous proof" for the theorem but did not provide the proof itself. This claim caught the attention of mathematicians for centuries, and numerous attempts were made to prove or disprove the theorem. Despite numerous efforts, Fermat's Last Theorem remained unproven for over 350 years, becoming one of the most enduring and tantalizing unsolved problems in mathematics. Many famous mathematicians, including Euler and Gauss, attempted to solve it, but none succeeded.

                       In the 19th century, Ernst Eduard Kummer made significant progress by proving a special case of Fermat's Last Theorem for certain prime exponents. He introduced the concept of ideal numbers and developed a theory that paved the way for future mathematicians. 

                       The breakthrough in the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem came in the 20th century with the work of Andrew Wiles, a British mathematician. In 1994, after years of intensive research, Wiles published a proof for the theorem. However, his initial proof contained a flaw, which he later corrected with the help of Richard Taylor.Wiles' proof relied on advanced mathematical techniques, particularly elliptic curves and modular forms, bringing together concepts from number theory, algebraic geometry, and algebraic number theory. His proof was complex and involved several intricate ideas and theorems.

                         Wiles' proof of Fermat's Last Theorem was a significant mathematical achievement and garnered worldwide attention. It demonstrated the power of modern mathematics and the remarkable depth and complexity of the problem. Wiles was awarded the Abel Prize in 2016, one of the highest honors in mathematics, for his proof.

                          Fermat's Last Theorem now stands as a proven mathematical theorem, closing the chapter on a problem that had fascinated mathematicians for centuries. It serves as a testament to the perseverance, creativity, and brilliance of mathematicians throughout history.

                           Many mathematicians throughout history attempted to prove Fermat's Last Theorem before it was eventually proved by Andrew Wiles. Here are some notable mathematicians who made significant contributions or attempts in the quest to prove Fermat's Last Theorem:

Leonhard Euler (1707-1783): A prolific Swiss mathematician, Euler made several attempts to prove Fermat's Last Theorem but was unable to provide a conclusive proof.

Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855): Known as the "Prince of Mathematicians," Gauss made attempts to prove the theorem but was unsuccessful. However, his work laid the foundation for future developments in number theory.

Ernst Eduard Kummer (1810-1893): Kummer made significant progress in understanding Fermat's Last Theorem. He developed the theory of ideal numbers, which helped him prove the theorem for certain prime exponents.

Sophie Germain (1776-1831): Germain was a French mathematician who worked independently on Fermat's Last Theorem. She made important contributions to number theory and worked extensively on the theorem.

Bernhard Riemann (1826-1866): Riemann, a German mathematician, made contributions to the field of complex analysis, which later played a role in understanding elliptic curves, a key concept in Wiles' eventual proof.

Ernst Eduard Lindemann (1852-1939): Lindemann was a German mathematician who proved the transcendence of π (pi). His work on transcendental numbers provided insights that later influenced the understanding of elliptic curves, contributing to the eventual proof of Fermat's Last Theorem.


Contribution of Varāhamihira to Indian Knowledge System in Mathematics and Astronomy

                      Varāhamihira was an influential Indian scholar who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and ast...