College Seminar (105-7-91)

Topic

Mathematical ideas and reality

Instructors

Boris Tsygan
847/491-5598
Lunt Hall Rm 302

Meeting Info

Elder Hall 030 Seminar Room: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

Title: Mathematical ideas and reality

How does a mathematical idea get transformed into an application? How did we start by trying to solve a simple equation in integers and end up with sophisticated cryptography? Or by trying to solve the same equation in complex numbers and end up with laws of motion of a quantum string? Or by trying to solve a system of linear equations in two variables and end up with quantum computing, Google search algorithm, game theory, and much more? How a puzzle in an East Prussian newspaper started a process that led to advances in new states of matter and genome sequencing merely three hundred years later? We will explore how the most basic questions of mathematics set us up on the path from geometry to algebra and back and back again, and how unexpected applications arise in the process. We will also learn about people and stories behind those ideas. Only minimal knowledge of mathematics is expected.

Class Materials (Required)

No required materials.

Class Materials (Suggested)

No suggested materials.

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration. Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required