Truck Versus Human: Mathematics Under Pressure

Summary

If you are ever faced with an oncoming truck, this paper could save your life. We investigate the optimal path that you should take from the middle of the road to the curb in order to avoid being hit by an oncoming truck. Although your instincts may tell you to run directly toward the curb, it turns out that this path, although the shortest, is not generally the safest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Field

Elizabeth Field ([email protected]) is a senior at Southern Connecticut State University where she is studying mathematics, as well as elementary and special education. She intends to attend graduate school where she would like to study discrete mathematics and combinatorics. When she is not studying, she enjoys singing, rock climbing, and teaching children mathematics.

Rachael Ivison

Rachael Ivison ([email protected]) received her B.S. in applied mathematics with a computer science minor from Southern Connecticut State University. She plans to enter a graduate program in computational biology and bioinformatics. She likes singing with Elizabeth and learning new programming languages.

Amanda Reyher

Amanda Reyher ([email protected]) holds a B.S. in applied mathematics with a minor in physics from Southern Connecticut State University. She plans to complete a graduate degree in either business or statistics. Currently, she is working at a local hedge fund. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, dancing in Zumba, and studying Polish.

Steven Warner

Steven Warner ([email protected]) is a graduate student in mathematics at Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned a B.A. in mathematics. He intends to transfer to another graduate school for further study in abstract algebra or geometry and is currently looking for research topics. He also enjoys playing guitar and reading.