Homework for Math 122: Math in Art
(Last modified: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 10:55 AM )

Just a heads up! I chose the mathematical topics for this class based on their connection to art. They do not all build upon each other as happens in a more traditional math class, nor are they of the same complexity. Also, I like to see what people can do when given the chance. For these reasons, the problems on the homework vary quite a bit in their level of difficulty. Some weeks, the entire problem set may be fairly straightforward (which is not quite the same thing as being easy); other weeks may be a bit more mixed. Furthermore, some weeks the problem sets will be fairly long, while other weeks they'll be shorter.

When you encounter a problem or an entire concept that seems difficult to you, don't freak out and don't skip it. Take advantage of my office hours.

• Follow the Guidelines for Homework Presentation
  Points will be deducted from problem sets that do not.
• Problem sets will generally be due on Wednesdays; PS 1 will be due on a Friday because of Labor Day.
• Problem sets will generally alternate between individual problem sets, which each person will write up on their own, and group problem sets, for which you will work in groups of 2 or 3 people (not 1 and not 4 or more), and then your group will turn in a joint problem set.
• For the group problem sets, do not divide the problems up between you. Every member of the group should think about and understand every problem.
• For the group problem sets, only one person should do the actual writing of the final copy that will be turned in. Put a star next to the name of that person (the primary author).
• I strongly urge you to switch who you work with on the group assignments from one group problem set to the next.
• You should be primary author roughly every other group problem set.
• See course policies for my policies for late problem sets, and also for more information about how the Honor Code applies to problem sets.

• Example - well-labeled, well organized

Assignments:

• Due Wednesday 9/5: Assignment 0: Introductory Questionnaire and Letter (Individual)

• Due Friday 9/7: PS 1: Systems of Proportion (Individual)

• Due Wednesday 9/12: PS 2: More on Systems of Proportion (Group)

• Due Wednesday 9/19: PS 3: The Sacred Cut and The Golden Ratio (Individual)

• Due Wednesday 9/26: PS 4: More on The Golden Ratio (Group)

• No problem set will be due Wednesday 10/3. I have put a collection of problems on gnomons at the beginning of the study guide, and have called that collection Problem Set 5 because I think it makes the most sense to work on those as soon as possible, and then to move on to the main study guide problems.

• Due Friday 10/12: PS 6: Finishing off Golden Ratio & Fibonacci Numbers; 2 and 3D Coordinates (Group)

• Due Wednesday 10/17: PS 7: Working with 2 and 3D Coordinates (Individual)

• Due Wednesday 10/24: PS 8: Working with the Perspective Theorem, Reaching Conclusions About Perspective (Group)

• Changed:No problem set will be due Wednesday 10/31. I have put a collection of problems on perspective at the beginning of the study guide, and have called that collection Problem Set 9 because I think it makes the most sense for you to work on those problems as soon as possible, and then to move on to the main study guide problems.

• New: Due Thursday 11/1 at 3pm: PS 9: Vanishing Points, Finding the Ideal Viewing Position (Individual)

  For this problem set, you will need to print out the following:

  • Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
  • Raphael's School of Athens
  • Masaccio's Trinity

• No Problem set will be due Wednesday November 7. I have put a collection of problems on perspective techniques (subdividing and duplicating rectangles) at the beginning of the revised study guide, and have called that collection Problem Set 10. Work on them first, and then move on to the main study guide problems.

• Due Wednesday 11/14: PS 11: Anamorphic Art; Recursive Definition of Fractals (Individual)
  • The drawing you need to convert to anamorphic art
  • A grid to draw it on.
  • Graph Paper for the fractals

• Due Noon, Tuesday 11/20: PS 12: Similarity Dimension; Complex numbers; the Mandelbrot set (Group)
  
  • Graph Paper

• Due Friday 12/7: PS 13: Other Dimensions (Individual)