Abstract / résuméCUMC / CCEM 2005

Name / nom: Ralph Furmaniak

School / école: University of Waterloo

Length / durée: 25 min

Title / titre: Combinatorial Strings: A Knotty Affair

Abstract / résumé:

At the crossroads of physics, algebra, combinatorics, and topology lies a branch of mathematical inquiry that can model physical processes as well as explain why your shoes stay on your feet. The questions raised seem simple yet require a great many tools to rigourously explain, and give rise to some beautiful special cases.

In this talk I will give a very brief introduction to knot theory from various angles, highlighting some of the key ideas. This introduction will be far from complete, as many important ideas will have to be left out, but it is hoped that this can serve as an impetus to further study.

Prerequisites / choses nécessaires: While parts of the talk will use group theory and topology, the remainder should be accessible by all.



PDF format / format PDF: furmaniak.pdf