34 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 34
- ItemMixed volumes and mixed integrals(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2018) Rotem, LiranIn recent years, mathematicians have developed new approaches to study convex sets: instead of considering convex sets themselves, they explore certain functions or measures that are related to them. Problems from convex geometry become thereby accessible to analytic and probabilistic tools, and we can use these tools to make progress on very difficult open problems. We discuss in this Snapshot such a functional extension of some “volumes” which measure how “big” a set is. We recall the construction of “intrinsic volumes”, discuss the fundamental inequalities between them, and explain the functional extensions of these results.
- ItemA surprising connection between quantum mechanics and shallow water waves(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2019) Fillman, Jake; VandenBoom, TomWe describe a connection between quantum mechanics and nonlinear wave equations and highlight a few problems at the forefront of modern research in the intersection of these areas.
- ItemCurriculum development in university mathematics: where mathematicians and education collide(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2015) Sangwin, Christopher J.This snapshot looks at educational aspects of the design of curricula in mathematics. In particular, we examine choices textbook authors have made when introducing the concept of the completness of the real numbers. Can significant choices really be made? Do these choices have an effect on how people learn, and, if so, can we understand what they are?
- ItemNews on quadratic polynomials(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2017) Pottmeyer, LukasMany problems in mathematics have remained unsolved because of missing links between mathematical disciplines, such as algebra, geometry, analysis, or number theory. Here we introduce a recently discovered result concerning quadratic polynomials, which uses a bridge between algebra and analysis. We study the iterations of quadratic polynomials, obtained by computing the value of a polynomial for a given number and feeding the outcome into the exact same polynomial again. These iterations of polynomials have interesting applications, such as in fractal theory.
- ItemThe Kadison-Singer problem(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2014) Valette, AlainIn quantum mechanics, unlike in classical mechanics, one cannot make precise predictions about how a system will behave. Instead, one is concerned with mere probabilities. Consequently, it is a very important task to determine the basic probabilities associated with a given system. In this snapshot we will present a recent uniqueness result concerning these probabilities.
- ItemMolecular Quantum Dynamics(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2017) Hagedorn, George A.; Lasser, CarolineWe provide a brief introduction to some basic ideas of Molecular Quantum Dynamics. We discuss the scope, strengths and main applications of this field of science. Finally, we also mention open problems of current interest in this exciting subject.
- ItemExpander graphs and where to find them(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2019) Khukhro, AnaGraphs are mathematical objects composed of a collection of “dots” called vertices, some of which are joined by lines called edges. Graphs are ideal for visually representing relations between things, and mathematical properties of graphs can provide an insight into real-life phenomena. One interesting property is how connected a graph is, in the sense of how easy it is to move between the vertices along the edges. The topic dealt with here is the construction of particularly well-connected graphs, and whether or not such graphs can happily exist in worlds similar to ours.
- ItemQuantum diffusion(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2015) Knowles, AnttiIf you place a drop of ink into a glass of water, the ink will slowly dissipate into the surrounding water until it is perfectly mixed. If you record your experiment with a camera and play the film backwards, you will see something that is never observed in the real world. Such diffusive and irreversible behaviour is ubiquitous in nature. Nevertheless, the fundamental equations that describe the motion of individual particles – Newton’s and Schrödinger’s equations – are reversible in time: a film depicting the motion of just a few particles looks as realistic when played forwards as when played backwards. In this snapshot, we discuss how one may try to understand the origin of diffusion starting from the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics.
- ItemTowards a Mathematical Theory of Turbulence in Fluids(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2016) Bedrossian, JacobFluid mechanics is the theory of how liquids and gases move around. For the most part, the basic physics are well understood and the mathematical models look relatively simple. Despite this, fluids display a dazzling mystery to their motion. The random-looking, chaotic behavior of fluids is known as turbulence, and it lies far beyond our mathematical understanding, despite a century of intense research.
- ItemQuantum symmetry(Oberwolfach : Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach gGmbH, 2020) Caspers, MartijnThe symmetry of objects plays a crucial role in many branches of mathematics and physics. It allowed, for example, the early prediction of the existence of new small particles. “Quantum symmetry” concerns a generalized notion of symmetry. It is an abstract way of characterizing the symmetry of a much richer class of mathematical and physical objects. In this snapshot we explain how quantum symmetry emerges as matrix symmetries using a famous example: Mermin’s magic square. It shows that quantum symmetries can solve problems that lie beyond the reach of classical symmetries, showing that quantum symmetries play a central role in modern mathematics.