Thinking outside the box: math-film senior animates fourth-dimension concepts

LAWRENCE -- David Chadwick Roby, Topeka graduating senior, may be the first University of Kansas student to combine majors in mathematics and in theatre and film. Neither department has records to verify how unique his combined major is at KU, but Roby has fascinated -- even dazzled -- faculty in both departments with his breadth of interests, creative uses of each field and ability to present complex data with computer-animated videos.

Estela Gavosto, professor of mathematics and Roby's honors project adviser, says that Roby's theatre and film skills and enthusiasm about animating math data have offered math faculty and students new options for displaying complex data representing mathematical theories.

"As scientists we concentrate on the data, but we don't know how to move things through computer animation," Gavosto says. Roby has demonstrated how to interact with data in a realistic, dynamic way, she adds.

Mark Reaney, KU professor of theatre and film, notes that Roby's affinity for math brought a structure to the computer animation assignments that other students could benefit from -- and did to a certain extent. As for Roby's math video demonstrations, Reaney says, "I don't pretend to understand it, but I can't think of any other way to illustrate those concepts except by computer."

Roby's honors project is a video that demonstrates moving from one-dimensional straight lines to two-dimensional squares to three-dimensional cubes and ultimately into the fourth dimension -- of time and space -- using a hypercube. His video includes a demonstration of a hypercube structure unfolding, revealing a cube and squares. These cubes have texture with complex data.

Beyond the lab, hypercubes could have applications in any field using complicated data with four different numbers for physical data, such as geology or even a financial market, Gavosto explains. Animated demonstrations help others grasp the concept.

Roby, who says he finds "a beauty in mathematics that can surpass art" and a power in film to effect social change, is not headed into either field. He has received a Rice scholarship to attend KU's law school next fall.

Math and film studies taught him "how to think rationally and to understand the motivations behind the human drama," Roby noted last fall as a nominee for a national Marshall scholarship. His long-range goal is to have a career in public service focusing on civil rights.

On May 18, Roby will be on KU's commencement platform as a recipient of the Class of 1913 Award for demonstrating evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies and personal character, and for demonstrating promise of usefulness to society.

In addition to solving math problems or animating data, Roby has served as president of Stephenson Scholarship Hall and organized an endowment for the hall that began with negotiating a $3,000 gift from KU. He has been a drummer with the KU Marching Band and performed as an amateur magician for schools and nursing homes. He is the son of Bruce and Charlene Roby of Topeka and is a Shawnee Heights High School graduate.