March 26, 27, 28, 2008
Bjorn Poonen
Professor of Mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley,
four time Putnam winner, and
winner of prestigious Packard Fellowship and Miller Professorship.
http://math.berkeley.edu/~poonen/
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
4:00pm, Physics Bldg., Room 202
Solved and unsolved problems in number theory
Abstract: I will survey a few of my favorite problems in number theory,
such as
Fermat's last theorem (solved) and the rectangular box problem (unsolved).
Refreshments will be served preceding the lecture at 3:30pm.
**There will be a banquet honoring Professor Poonen after this first lecture.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
3:30pm, Boyd Graduate Studies Bldg., Room 328
Hilbert's tenth problem
Abstract: Hilbert dreamed that someday we would have a general method for
solving all diophantine equations, but in 1970 it was proved that no such method exists.
Refreshments will be served preceding the lecture at 3:00pm, Room 409, Boyd
Friday, March 28, 2008
3:30pm, Boyd Graduate Studies Bldg., Room 328
Undecidability everywhere
Abstract: Undecidable problems exist in many other subjects, such as group
theory and topology. There are also a few problems in number theory
and algebraic geometry whose decidability status is not yet known.
Refreshments will be served preceding the lecture at 3:00pm, Room 409, Boyd
**Banquet: There will be a banquet honoring Professor Poonen after the first lecture at the
Five and Ten Restuarant. The seating may be limited, so we ask you to pre-register no later than March 19, 2008. To register please print and mail the banquet registration form
or contact
Julie McEver - 706-542-2038 - julie@math.uga.edu
For
additional information about the 2008 Cantrell lecture series
please contact any of the following:
Dino Lorenzini, lorenzini at math dot uga dot edu
Bill Graham, wag at math dot uga dot edu
Malcolm Adams, adams at math dot uga dot edu
Past Cantrell Lecture
Speakers
