Plotting the routes of their exciting short trips, the adventurous travelers Kathleen McLean and Laura Maldonado use mathematical methods
As ShareAmerica writes, Kathleen and Laura are studying at the mathematics department of George Mason University in Virginia. In their blog America in a Day ("America in a Day") they give tourists useful advice, backed by mathematical calculations. Their recommendations are based on experience visiting Miami, Seattle, and Washington. Soon Kathleen and Laura will post stories about trips to Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Austin (Texas).
The students will not only suggest what and where to see (for example, in Washington at the Museum of Natural History there are "fascinating interactive games"), but also – and this is the main thing – calculate the most suitable route.
This is what a one-day trip to Washington looks like:
1) Lincoln Memorial, 2) World War II Memorial, 3) George Washington Memorial, 4) Museum of American History, 5) Museum of Natural History, 6) National Air and Space Museum, 7) Capitol, 8) U.S. Supreme Court, 9) Library of Congress, 10) Thomas Jefferson Memorial, 11) White House, 12) Renwick Gallery, 13) Kennedy Center
The students plot a route that allows as much time as possible to be spent on getting acquainted with the sights and as little as possible on getting to them. "We aim to keep the trip to no more than $250, but considering the cost of flights, food, and unforeseen expenses, it's not easy," says Kathleen.
To prepare their recommendations, they use geometric methods and complex diagrams. "The idea of one-day trips was born when we were busy with other things and also limited in funds. This thought came to us during spring break," continues Kathleen. "We simply found a practical application for the knowledge gained in classes on various mathematical disciplines."
Kathleen and Laura plan to adapt the model used in "America in a Day" to international trips. One of the professors in their department contacted colleagues from South Korea, and the possibility of launching a project "Korea in a Day" is currently being studied.
According to Kathleen McLean, no matter where they go for a day, their constant goal is to spark interest in mathematics among teenagers.