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: December 6, 2024
Speaker: Breelyn Cocke and Calder Evans (NAU)
Abstract: Breelyn and Calder are in the mathematics capstone, and part of their honors component of the capstone requires them to give a FAMUS presentation. They will define and give several examples of graceful labelings, discuss the history of graceful labelings, show some research results on graceful labelings by former NAU student Dr. Alessandra Graf, and briefly discuss some open questions. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: November 22, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The purpose of the talk is two-fold. First, it’s a reminder that there is a study abroad opportunity for STEM students to take either MAT 239 or MAT 316 in Portugal next summer. Second, I’ll discuss some work I’ve done while in Portugal in the past - most involving undergrad research projects - and highlight the undergrad researchers involved, subsequent publications, and where those undergrads are now.
The faculty guest is Gina Nabours. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: November 15, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: In case you didn’t hear, a new largest prime number was discovered last month. It’s really big. In this talk, I’ll present a brief history of who/when/how biggest known prime numbers have been found during the last 4 centuries. Some discoverer names might be surprising, as are a scandal or two associated with said discoverers.
There is no faculty guest interview this week. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: November 1, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Hovermill (NAU)
Abstract: The talk this week is being given by Jeff Hovermill, the chair of our Graduate Operations Committee. After enticing students (with FREE PIZZA) to attend FAMUS, Jeff will attempt to entice students to apply to our graduate programs with the help of a carefully prepared talk.
The faculty guests will be a handful of GTAs who will provide testimonials about why undergrads should consider applying to our department graduate programs. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 25, 2024
Speaker: Roy St.Laurent (NAU)
Abstract: I will introduce three or four of my favorite Nikoli puzzles, with an opportunity for you to solve examples of them yourself. Paper copies will be provided, just bring a pencil (or pen). Nikoli is a Japanese publisher that specializes in culture-independent puzzles – especially pencil/paper logic puzzles played on a rectangular grid. I have been hooked on Nikoli puzzles for many years… The English names of some of my favorites are Akari, Fillomino, Hashiwokakero, Heyawake, Hitori, Kakuro, Nurikabe, Slitherlink, Yajilin. Some interesting and potentially research-based questions come to mind that will be raised during the talk.
The faculty guest is Roy St. Laurent. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 18, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The “conspiracy” involves a shadow attempt by some math nerds to minimize, ridicule and downplay the importance of number theory. I’ll explain all of this, expose the culprits, and show you why number theory is so neat and important.
The faculty guest is new faculty member Allie Berkman. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 11, 2024
Speaker: Joan Arrow
Abstract: Joan did graduate work at the University of Waterloo and has recently relocated back to Flagstaff. They are (among other things) the founder and CEO of the Quantum Ethics Project, a quantum information tech company. Joan will present a bit of their own history and discuss what their company does.
The faculty guest is Jaechoul Lee. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: October 4, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: Ramsey numbers are these, umm, numbers that pop up in weird counting problems. The good news is that they can be motivated by party planners who need to know how many people to invite to be guaranteed a given number of them know each other (or don’t know each other), which is a great excuse to talk about partying (something I did a lot of in grad school). I will explain their history and say what is known and not known about them, and mostly tone down discussing my partying past. Mostly.
The faculty guest is Minah Kim. Let’s try to give her a big NAU welcome at her FAMUS debut. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 27, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: Many are familiar with “Goldbach’s Conjecture” (singular), the claim that every even natural number greater than 5 is the sum of two odd primes. But not all realize that Goldbach actually made several conjectures. I will present an overview of his conjectures and progress made toward proving them, including a weird connection between some of this and NAU.
The faculty guest is Robert Buscaglia, who is going to SHAVE HIS HEAD AND DONATE HIS HAIR for use in wigs. I believe the head shaver might be interested in freeing others from their longish locks, so if you are interested joining Robert in beautiful baldness, talk to me or him ASAP. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 20, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: Egyptian fractions are representations of rational numbers as sums of distinct unit fractions. It is a fact that EVERY positive rational number can be written as a sum of distinct unit fractions. I’ll present a bit of the history of Egyptian fractions and will give some open problems associated with Egyptian fractions.
The faculty guest is new faculty member Gabe Markou. [PDF of Flyer]
Date: September 13, 2024
Speaker: Jeff Rushall (NAU)
Abstract: The constant of Kaprekar is a weird and magical number that pops up that when one rearranges the digits in almost any 4-digit number and then does some arithmetic. All who come to FAMUS will verify with their own 4-digit numbers that the constant is indeed magical. I’ll say a bit more and try to leave the audience as amazed and bewildered about the constant as I am.
The faculty guest is Sarah Watson. [PDF of Flyer]