Series: Mathematics Colloquium

Date: Thursday, March 18, 2004

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Place: 102 McAllister Building

Host: Howard Weiss

Refreshments: 3:15 - 4:00 PM, in 212 McAllister

Speaker: Robert Perlis, Louisiana State University

Title: Think Globally, Act Locally

Abstract:

A few of the objects in algebraic number theory you may have heard of
are adele rings, Dedekind zeta functions, Witt rings, and Artin root
numbers.  From their definitions, these objects appear to be at most
loosely related.  This talk will begin with a gentle introduction to
these objects, then discuss what it means to "look locally", and
finally to see what these objects look like from a local point of
view.  The talk is intended to be accessible to those with only a
fleeting acquaintance with number theory, but even experts may find a
surprise or two.