Termcard for Michaelmas Term 2015

Rational Points on Curves

Week 1, Tuesday 13 October MT 2015
8:15pm
L2, Mathematical Institute

I shall consider the problem, given a curve with rational coefficients, of how one tries to find all of its rational points.

Challenging Mathematics: The UK Mathematics Trust and its work

Week 2, Tuesday 20 October MT 2015
8:15pm
LR23, Balliol College

Planning for the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT), now nineteen years old, began just twenty years ago. There were some difficulties in the early years, but now it is going from strength to strength under the leadership of Frances Kirwan, Tutorial Fellow of Balliol and Professor in the Oxford Mathematics Department. I propose to speak about its past, present and future (so far as I know them), and show examples of its work.

Michaelmas 2015 Puzzle Off

Week 3, Tuesday 27 October MT 2015
8:15pm
Mezzanine, Mathematical Institute

The annual Invariants Society Puzzle Off, where teams compete to solve Mathematical Puzzles for great prizes.

Is mathematics invented or discovered?

Week 4, Tuesday 3 November MT 2015
8:15pm
L2, Mathematical Institute

I somewhat disapprove of this question. In this lecture, I will try to explain why.

Linear Algebra and the SVD

Week 5, Tuesday 10 November MT 2015
8:15pm
L2, Mathematical Institute

The polynomial method

Week 6, Tuesday 17 November MT 2015
8:15pm
L2, Mathematical Institute

In broad terms, the polynomial method is the idea of understanding a set of points, for example in Euclidean space, by studying the properties of polynomials vanishing on that set.

Mathematics of the Faraday cage, or why is it so hard to see into your microwave oven?

Week 7, Tuesday 24 November MT 2015
8:15pm
L2, Mathematical Institute

Since Faraday in 1836, wire meshes have been used to shield electrostatic and electromagnetic fields. The mathematics starts from the Laplace equation, and it must be well understood and in lots of textbooks, right?

Michaelmas 2015 Social: Ice Skating

Week 8, Tuesday 1 December MT 2015
6:00pm
Oxford Ice Rink

We’re holding our main social for the term this week. In keeping with the season, the plan is to go ice skating around 6pm, followed by snacks, pizza and drinks at the Maths Institute.

Michaelmas 2015 Social: After Party

Week 8, Tuesday 1 December MT 2015
8:15pm
Common Room, Mathematical Institute