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Department Colloquium

Speaker: Tushar Das (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse)

Title: From the division algorithm to fractals via dynamics: mathematics as centuries-long conversation

Abstract:
Iterating the ancient division algorithm gives birth to continued fractions, which have provided a natural playground for major developments in geometry, number theory, analysis, topology, stochastics, and dynamics. We will survey a small confluence of results (see https://arxiv.org/a/das_t_4.html) that flow across the fertile interfaces of geometric measure theory, dynamical systems, and Diophantine approximation. The colloquium will be accessible to students and faculty whose interests intersect the convex hull of the aforementioned subjects, the only prerequisite being curiosity. Perhaps most importantly, I will present a sampling of open questions and research directions that await exploration by the mathematical community at »ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and friends beyond :)