This Colloquium is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics and the Brooklyn College Math Club. Talks are accessible to a broad audience of students and faculty in mathematics and related disciplines. It is usually held during common hour on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm in 1127 Ingersol, but the day, time and location does change so please note the details listed by each talk.

Spring 2017

Speaker: Sandra Kingan, Mathematics, Brooklyn College
Date: Tuesday Feb 21, 2016
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: 1141 Ingersol

Title: PageRank
Abstract: PageRank is Sergey Brin and Larry Page’s algorithm that launched Google, Inc. It is based on concepts from Linear Algebra and Graph Theory. We will discuss this algorithm including the background required.

Speaker: Marty Lewinter, Purchase College and Learn America
Date: February 28, 2017
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: 1141 Ingersol

Title: Fun with Number Theory
Abstract: We will examine classes of numbers including squares, triangular numbers, primes, Fibonacci numbers, and more. Various beautiful properties and identities will be presented. The only prerequisite is high school algebra.

Speaker: Christian Benes, Brooklyn College
Date: April 28, 2017
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: 1141 Ingersol

Title: Random Fractals
Abstract: One of the "hottest" topics of research in probability of the past few decades is a random fractal called the Schramm-Loewner Evolution (SLE). In recent years, two mathematicians were awarded Fields Medals for showing that SLE is related to well-known random processes such as loop-erased random walk and percolation. In this talk, I'll explain what fractals are and how random fractals appear naturally in a number of physical phenomena.