The “Friday Afternoon Mathematics Undergraduate Seminar” (FAMUS) is a weekly event consisting of announcements, talks, and faculty interviews. FAMUS takes place most Fridays at 3:00-4:00pm in Room 164 of the Adel Mathematics Building. Typically the first half of FAMUS consists of a talk on a mathematical topic while an interview of a faculty member takes place in the second half. FAMUS is hosted by Jeff Rushall.
Come join us for some entertaining talks! Refreshments always served.
Note that talks are listed in reverse chronological order.
Date: October 16, 2026
Speakers: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The Collatz Conjecture is a simple, mysterious, and addictive math puzzle. Take any positive integer; if it is even, halve it, if it is odd, triple it and then add 1. Now repeat this process over and over. The conjecture states that this iterative process always terminates at 1. No counterexample has ever been found, but a proof has also never been found. I’ll discuss this problem, show some of what is known about it, and even talk about some variations on the problem.
The faculty guest this week is Hannah Prawzinsky. A [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 9, 2026
Speakers: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The Tower of Hanoi puzzle is probably familiar to anyone that has taken (or taught) MAT 226. It’s a fun puzzle: move a pile of different-sized disks around 3 central rods, smaller disks always on bigger disks, until the entire pile of disks is on a new rod, using as few moves as possible. The math involved is cute and will be discussed. But it’s the variations of the Tower of Hanoi puzzle that are really interesting: make the disks 2 or more colors and end up with monochrome piles. Or make the disks magnetic and flip-able. Or change the number of rods involved. These variations and more will be touched on.
The faculty guest this week is David Deville. A [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 2, 2026
Speakers: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: NAU in Portugal is a summer study abroad program specifically designed for math students at NAU; in the summer of 2027 it will happen in June. Students who participate will spend about one month in Lisbon, earn credit for MAT 239 (differential equations) or MAT 316 (linear algebra) or MAT 399 (the mathematics of Portugal), or possibly MAT 497 (independent study) (this requires special permission). But the program is only open to the first 12 students that apply and secure a spot in the program. Want more details? Come to FAMUS!
There is no faculty guest. A [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 25, 2026
Speakers: Tyler Brock (NAU)
Abstract: Using only four colors, can you color a map of the United States such that no states that share a border are the same color? Sure, if you’re careful and have some free time. But…what if…THE WHOLE COUNTRY WAS MADE UP OF STATES LIKE MICHIGAN? Come find out! Additionally, I find myself constantly asking “How could we make high school math more fun and more enriching for students?” So, I’d also like to explore some neat connections between high school geometry and graph theory in an effort to minimize teenage disdain for mathematics.
The faculty guest this week is Annie Carter. A [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 18, 2026
Speakers: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The Happy Ending Problem is a geometry puzzle; the unusual name was coined by the legendary Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdos. The problem itself is not that hard to solve, but generalizations are trickier to solve. The weird name of the puzzle is due to the fact that it spawned a love story (which will be discussed as well). Bring your brains and bring some tissues, as the story has a tear-jerk ending.
The faculty guest this week is Tyler Brock. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 11, 2026
Speakers: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: I’ll discuss what faculty members like me do during the summer. Without giving too much away, I did a little research, reviewed a paper, designed a new course, created a new course pack, taught a summer course, did a little traveling (some of it math-related), etc. I’ll show some fun pictures from my travels.
The faculty guest this week is Gabe Markou. [PDF of Flyer]