Abstract:
John Conway has given us a method to tangle two ropes, with each tangle identified with a rational number. We start with untangled rope. With twists and rotations, one can arrive at any rational number. Remarkably, the tangles can be added, just like rational numbers. All of this will be demonstrated, with the help of audience members.
About the Speaker:
Professor Michael Lacey is a leading expert in mathematical analysis, especially Fourier series. He received his PhD in 1987, and has published over 120 research papers. His work has gained world wide recognition. A professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he conducts research, mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. He teaches over 800 high school students in the state of Georgia, university level mathematics.