AP Calculus AB / Mr. Hansen 5/7/2004

Name: ____________________________

Project Ideas (Minimally Edited)

	The following questions are mostly from the world of science or statistics, not mathematics. Most of them, however, have enough potential mathematical content that they could be reworked into acceptable project proposals. Perhaps you will notice that very few of the concepts have any connection to the calculus. Please do not take that as evidence that you wasted the last 9 months of your life. All one can say is that that most of these questions of burning interest cannot be answered by the calculus. Remember, the calculus is primarily concerned with the properties of continuous functions. Many if not most of the real-world processes we care about most are chaotic and/or discrete, which means that the appropriate tools to use for investigation are mathematical modeling, computer modeling, simulation, experimentation, and statistical analysis.
Category	Research Question
Business	How can I make easy money? How can one get rich quickly? How does one become a comedian and get a sitcom? How does one get a record deal and become a rock star? Is cream cheese made of cream or cheese?
Computer science	How do bar codes work? How does one disappear or change identity? Why is the foul pole in fair territory?
Engineering	Exactly how does a modern V-8 engine work (valves, etc.)? How are jet engines designed? How does one go from blueprint to an actual engine? [etc.] How do electric guitars work? How do guitar amplifiers work? What are the easiest ways to add horsepower to a ’93 Jeep?
History	Has Mr. Hansen ever been ticketed for speeding? Has Mr. Hansen ever killed anyone? What did Mr. Hansen do [in previous jobs for U.S. government contractors]? What is the fastest Mr. Hansen has ever driven? When was Mr. Hansen’s first kiss? (Awwww.)
Humanities	Is Sir John Falstaff the romantic hero some Shakespearean scholars portray him to be, or is he simply the one-dimensional, corrupted old man he appears to be? Why does anyone care about Latin?
Mathematics	How does one solve a diffeq.? Why in the world does e^i^p equal –1?
Metaphysics, metamathematics	If it is impossible to understand the universe or the existence of God, is it worth thinking about these subjects? What is the meaning of life? Where am I? Why do I dislike math? Why do I exist?
Military science	How does one operate an automatic weapon? How many Taliban personnel has the average U.S. soldier killed (confirmed kills)?
Neuroscience	How do girls work? Why can’t I get better at the guitar?
Personal	How can I pursue my interest in automobile racing while still maintaining a scientific/medical path? What am I going to do this weekend? Why was I denied extra time?
Political science	How is it fair that SUVs are legally allowed to have any level of tint on their back windows, when other cars, especially station wagons, are not? What are Bush’s chances of winning in 2004? Why is marijuana illegal? Why is this country so polarized? Why do we have to choose between the two worst presidential candidates in history?
Science	Beam me up, Scotty! Can that ever work? Does reading make your eyes deteriorate? Does TV destroy brain cells? How different are people from race to race? How do dogs smell fear? How do dreams work? How do grasshoppers jump so high? How does love work, scientifically? Is intelligence inherited? Lions [general interest in the subject]. Pandas [general interest in the subject]. What are the human body’s physical limits? What is the effect of fast food on American society, compared to its effect on other societies (e.g., Europe, Asia)? What is the nature of ADD/ADHD? What is the real truth about aliens? When will the world end? Why am I so fat? Why is burnt food carcinogenic? Why is Silly Putty® so cool?
Science/engineering	How does one become an astronaut?
Science/mathematics	Relativity [no elaboration]. Why are clouds in specific categories, instead of just existing randomly?
Social science	Can we do some psychological studies? Does size matter? Is war an inevitable part of human nature? What is my bar code? I feel like a prisoner. What is the best way to get [to third base]? Why are girls so power hungry? Why are mothers insane? Why do girls never say what they really mean? Why do some people actually care about arbitrary rules? Why does Mr. Hansen enforce the sock rule?
The Future	What will college be like?
The O.C.	[Several questions about esoteric non-mathematical techniques.] Is Theresa’s baby’s father Ryan? Will she have the baby? Why do people care about “The O.C.”?