Michael Hopkins : Invariants as the engine for mathematics

Posted by Brooke Shipley , part of the Distinguished Lecture Series.

At

March 5, 2014, 4 p.m.

In

BSB 250

Abstract

In mathematics and in science an "invariant" of a system is a quantity, like the total energy, that does not change as the system evolves. The discovery and understanding of invariants is a significant part of what drives the development of mathematics. In this talk I will describe some simple mathematical invariants and the deep mathematics that has evolved from trying to understand them.

The general public is invited. Reception to follow.