Graduate Student Seminar, 4:00 pm March 21, 2005; HH215

Speaker:

Abigail Mitchell

Title:

A scenic route to rook theory

Abstract:

I will start by discussing matching theory, which is a thoroughly combinatorial corner of graph theory with some nice applications to the real world. As it turns out, the problem of enumerating matchings in a graph can be translated into linear algebra, where it relates to a lesser-known cousin of the determinant. Eventually, we'll get around to talking about rook polynomials.

Combinatorics is arguably one of the most accessible fields of mathematics; you won't need any special background to understand this talk.


To volunteer to give a talk, or for any other questions regarding this schedule, contact Sara Miller