Monday, February 10 Applied dynamical system seminar Time: 11:30 Room: MC 204 Speaker: Yucen Jin (Western) Title: TBA Introduction: Topics of these seminars include differential equations (ODEs, PDEs, DDEs, FDEs, etc.), dynamical systems theory, and their applications (often in mathematical biology). To get the brain gears turning, each session will kick off with a fun trivia! |
Wednesday, February 12 Geometry and Topology Time: 15:30 Room: MC 107 Speaker: Yidi Wang (Western) Title: A geometric approach of solving generalized Fermat equations The primitive solutions of generalized Fermat equations, i.e., Diophantine equations of the form $Ax^2+By^2 = Cz^2$, can be studied as integral points on certain stacky curves. In a paper by Bhargava and Poonen, an explicit example of such a curve of genus 1/2 violating local-global principle for integral points was given. However, a general description of stacky curves failing the local-global principle is unknown. In this talk, I will discuss our work on finding the primitive solutions to equation of the form by studying local-global principles for integral points on stacky curves constructed from such equations. The talk is based on a joint project with Juanita Duque-Rosero, Christopher Keyes, Andrew Kobin, Soumya Sankar and Manami Roy. |
Thursday, February 13 Pizza Seminar Time: 17:30 Room: MC 107 Speaker: Yvon Verberne (Western) Title: Braids, Knots, and Mapping Class Groups This talk is a friendly introduction to the mathematical study of braids, knots, and mapping class groups. We will start with an introduction to the braid group, learn how to interpret braids through a topological lens, and cover some of the foundational theorems of knot theory. This talk will be accessible to all students enrolled in a mathematics module. |