Seminar

The surprising properties of the humble triangle

An investigation into the humble trigon, including unique triangles with curious properties that yield surprising results and curious patterns. The three-pointed heroes of geometry have a lot to offer but are often overlooked and ignored without realising the marvels that lie within. From the etymology surrounding our geometrical friend, through to a number of not-famous-enough triangles and theorems associated with them, we'll slowly come to the inarguable conclusion that triangles could, in essence, beat all other shapes in a geometrical fight.

Coarea Inequality

If $n<m$ and $f:\mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ is an injective (and reasonably nice) function then image of $f$ is an $n$-dimensional object sitting inside the larger $\mathbb{R}^m$. Examples: a curve or surface in $\mathbb{R}^3$. But what if we turn the tables and consider functions $f:\mathbb{R}^m \to \mathbb{R}^n$ where $m > n$? There is just not enough room and many points must map to a common target point. In this talk I will explain the precise mathematical meaning of the following and end with the Coarea Inequality:

The Origin of the Logarithm: And how it catalyzed the scientific revolution

The way we learn about logarithms as young mathematical epsilons, is in their relationship to the exponential function. On the other hand, the history of logarithms has no exponents in sight. The invention of the logarithm is more closely related to the invention of a piece of technology like the calculator than it is to the invention a new mathematical function. This new technology emerged simultaneously with the scientific revolution and this was no accident.