‘Pure mathematics as applied physics’ – A special International Day of Mathematics Colloquium (2/2) by Tadashi Tokieda
March 16 @ 14:00 – 15:00
Humans tend to be better at physics than at mathematics. When an apple falls from a tree, there are more people who can catch it — they sense physically how the apple moves — than people who can compute its trajectory from a differential equation. Applying physical ideas to discover and explain mathematical results is therefore natural, even if it has seldom been tried in the history of science. The exceptions include Archimedes, some old Russian sources, a recent book of Mark Levi’s, as well as articles and lectures by yours truly. Many examples will be presented.
This event is part of a series of 2 colloquia for International Day of Mathematics (Colloquium 1: Irrational ways of manufacturing numbers). For catering purposes, we would appreciate your registration if you intend to attend one or both events.
Tadashi Tokieda, Stanford University
Tadashi Tokieda is a professor of mathematics at Stanford. He grew up in Japan as a painter, became a classical philologist (not to be confused with philosopher) in France, worked a little as a plumber, before earning a PhD in pure mathematics from Princeton then practicing applied mathematics throughout the world. Active in outreach, especially via the YouTube channel Numberphile and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, he gave public lectures at the quadrennial International Congress of Mathematicians 2018, 2022, and is slated to speak again at the ICM 2026.
Key event details
Date & time:
Monday 16 March 2026
Seminar: 2 — 3 pm
Afternoon tea 3 pm — 4 pm
Cost:
This is a free event
Location:
Lecture theatre TBA
University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus
