Irrational ways of manufacturing numbers
Tadashi Tokieda, Stanford University
Friday 13th March 2026
Abstract: This is meant to be light mathematical entertainment, exploring simple yet unusual phenomena involving rational, irrational, transcendental numbers. We will also glean a few open problems.
Pure mathematics as applied physics
Tadashi Tokieda, Stanford University
Friday 13th March 2026
Abstract: 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.