Lehr (1991) proved that, if M(q, r) denotes the set of real numbers whose expansion in base-r is q-automatic i.e., is recognized by an automaton A = (Aq, Ar, ao, δ, φ) (or is the image under a letter to letter morphism of a fixed point of a substitution of constant length q) then M(q, r) is closed under addition and rational multiplication. Similarly if we let M(r) denote the set of real numbers α whose base-r digit expansion is ultimately primitive substitutive, i.e., contains a tail which is the image (under a letter to letter morphism) of a fixed point of a primitive substitution then in an attempt to generalize Lehr's result we show that the set M(r) is closed under multiplication by rational numbers. We also show that M(r) is not closed under addition.

We study the effects of a deformation via the heat equation on closed, plane curves. We begin with an overview of the theory of curves in R3. In particular, we develop the Frenet-Serret equations for any curve parametrized by arc length. This chapter is followed by an examination of curves in R2, and the resultant adjustment of the Frenet-Serret equations. We then prove the rotation index for closed, plane curves is an integer and for simple, closed, plane curves is ±1. We show that a curve is convex if and only if the curvature does not change sign, and we prove the Isoperimetric Inequality, which gives a bound on the area of a closed curve with fixed length. Finally, we study the deformation of plane curves developed by M. Gage and R. S. Hamilton. We observe that convex curves under deformation remain convex, and simple curves remain simple.

We investigate a class of minimal sequences on a finite alphabet Ak = {1,2,...,k} having (k - 1)n + 1 distinct subwords of length n. These sequences, originally defined by P. Arnoux and G. Rauzy, are a natural generalization of binary Sturmian sequences. We describe two simple combinatorial algorithms for constructing characteristic Arnoux-Rauzy sequences (one of which is new even in the Sturmian case). Arnoux-Rauzy sequences arising from fixed points of primitive morphisms are characterized by an underlying periodic structure. We show that every Arnoux-Rauzy sequence contains arbitrarily large subwords of the form V^2+ε and, in the Sturmian case, arbitrarily large subwords of the form V^3+ε. Finally, we prove that an irrational number whose base b-digit expansion is an Arnoux-Rauzy sequence is transcendental.

We define and construct bicentric circles with respect to three-sided polygons. Then using inherent properties of these circles, we explore both tangent properties, and areas generated from bicentric circles.