Comprehending Large Numbers

Description

Join us for a public lecture from Senior Lecturer Ian Le (Australian National University). Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Abstract

What is the largest number you can think of? By the end of this lecture, you’ll be able to think of numbers far larger than any you’ve thought of before. We will take a journey through mathematics and encounter some of the largest numbers mathematicians have contemplated. At first, you might not think there's much substantive mathematics behind enormous numbers. But the problem of how to precisely write down a very large number raises deep questions. We will enter the realm of metamathematics–recursion, computability, complexity–and discover that the question of largeness offers us a way to probe the limits of mathematical understanding.

Zoom

Recording can be found here - https://maths.anu.edu.au/news-events/events/comprehending-large-numbers

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation plan please contact the event organiser - admin.research.msi@anu.edu.au / +61261252897