Maths EE ideas library
Maths Extended Essay ideas: codes, cryptography and algorithms
Error-correcting codes, ciphers, numerical methods and the mathematics of algorithms. These link naturally to computer science but must stay mathematical.
Codes, cryptography and algorithms ideas (9)
- Why RSA encryption worksCodes & algorithmsSolid
- Correcting errors with Hamming codesCodes & algorithmsSolid
- Check digits: which errors do they catch?Codes & algorithmsAccessible
- Sharing a secret in publicCodes & algorithmsSolid
- Breaking substitution ciphers with statisticsCodes & algorithmsAccessible
- Why the fast Fourier transform is fastCodes & algorithmsAmbitious
- How many comparisons does sorting need?Codes & algorithmsSolid
- Ranking web pages with eigenvectorsCodes & algorithmsAmbitious
- How random are pseudo-random numbers?Codes & algorithmsSolid
Frequently asked questions
Is codes, cryptography and algorithms a good area for a maths EE?
It can be, if you narrow it to one question you can answer with mathematics you understand. Explain why the algorithm works and how well it performs, with proofs or error bounds. Code alone is not mathematics.
Can I use one of these research questions as it is?
Use it as a starting point. Change the case, the comparison or the limit until the question is your own, and agree it with your supervisor.
Other areas: Number theory · Algebra · Analysis & calculus · Geometry · Probability · Statistics · Modelling · Graph theory · Optimisation & games · History of maths