The Writing Room

Publications.

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King's College · Junior Seminar

Seminar Submissions.

Two mathematics presentations, each available as a full PDF.

Probability · Optimization

Optimal Card Collecting Strategy for Magic: The Gathering

Zackary Bedwell & Tony Favata · October 21, 2026 · 17-slide presentation

What is the cheapest way to collect every rare card? Using a Markov chain and a backward cost function, we compare buying single packs against two-pack boxes at every stage of a collection.

Buy boxes while you are missing two or more rares; once only one rare is left, single packs are cheaper.

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5Markov states modeled

$23.23Expected cost from zero

r = 3Switch to single packs

King's College · MATH*490* Junior Seminar

Abstract Mathematics · Proof

My Axiom System

Tony Favata · October 23, 2026 · 35-slide presentation

An original axiom system built on three primitive terms: point, line, and bind. The deck presents a consistency model, independence models for each axiom, and step-by-step proofs of two theorems.

With exactly five points, the axioms force at least ten lines, and every point binds a distinct line with at least three others.

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4Axioms defined

4Independence models

10Lines for five points

King's College · MATH*490* Junior Seminar