# Calendar

Feb
4
Thu
Undergraduate Colloquium – Claude Levesque (U. Laval, Quebec) @ Bilger 335
Feb 4 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

TITLE: On Diophantine equations

ABSTRACT:

A Diophantine equation is an equation of the form F(X_1, X_2, … , X_m) = c (with a fixed c in Z) for which we look for the solutions (x_1, x_2, … , x_m) in Z^m verifying F(x_1, x_2, … , x_m) = c​. The most famous result is probably the solution of Fermat’s last theorem X^n + Y^n = Z^n found by Andrew Wiles using so-called elliptic curves. A small survey of a few results will be given and the notion of elliptic curve will be introduced. The lecture is accessible to anyone, most particularly to undergraduates.

Feb
5
Fri
Colloquium: Pamela Harris (Williams)
Feb 5 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Feb
9
Tue
Analysis Seminar – Pat Collins @ Kelller 401
Feb 9 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Speaker: Pat Collins, UH-Manoa
Title: Approximating with Symmetric Positive Definite Reproducing Kernels
Abstract: Symmetric positive definite kernels arise naturally as the reproducing kernels of Hilbert spaces, including certain Sobolev spaces of the form $W_{2}^{m}(Omega)$. We explore the connection between reproducing kernels and symmetric positive definite kernels, and show that the corresponding Hilbert spaces contain unique norm-minimizing solutions to interpolation problems.

Feb
10
Wed
Colloquium: David Jeffrey (U. Western Ontario)
Feb 10 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Speaker: David Jeffrey (U. Western Ontario)

Title: Twenty years of Lambert W

Abstract: The year 2016 marks 20 years since the publication of the paper
“On the Lambert W function”. As will be pointed out, the function was
studied before 1996, but this publication has proved to be the most cited reference. The talk will review some of the decisions made in defining
the function, particularly in defining its branches.
The talk will present some of the interesting and beautiful properties
of the function, including recent work that improves on the results in
the original papers. Specifically, expressions for derivatives and
series expansions, the role of differences between branches,
the convergence of series expansions.

Feb
11
Thu
Non-Commutative Geometry Seminar @ Keller 404
Feb 11 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

See organizers Rufus, Alan or Robin for details.

Feb 11 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Title: Hilbert’s third problem – how to cut and paste using linear algebra

Abstract: In the year 1900 the mathematician David Hilbert famously gave a list of 21 problems that he felt were the most important challenges facing the mathematical community of the day.

The third problem, though stated differently, essentially asked whether it was necessary to use calculus to do basic geometry in three dimensions. For instance, is there a geometric way to calculate the volume of a pyramid?

This was the first of his problems that was answered, using a neat idea from linear algebra. I’ll show you how, and discuss some of the neat mathematics surrounding this problem.

Feb
12
Fri
Colloquium – Amy Feaver (The King’s University) @ Keller 401
Feb 12 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Speaker: Amy Feaver (The King’s University)

Title: The Structure of Multiquadratic Number Fields

Abstract: In this talk, we will discuss the basic structure of multiquadratic number fields: that is, fields of the form $K:=\mathbb{Q}\left(\sqrt{a_1},\sqrt{a_2},…,\sqrt{a_n}\right)$ for $a_1,…,a_n\in\mathbb{Z}$ squarefree. We will begin by discussing subfields of $K$ and what we are able to know about $K$ based on its subfields. We will then define the ring of integers for these fields, and discuss several properties of these rings. These properties will include prime factorizations and the existence of a Euclidean algorithm (or lack thereof).

Feb
18
Thu
Non-Commutative Geometry Seminar @ Keller 404
Feb 18 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

See organizers Rufus, Alan or Robin for details.