Dirichlet’s theorem + ghosts + a surprise (series unlisted)

Abstract: P. G. L. Dirichlet is considered by many to have created the field of analytic number theory in 1837 when he used analytic methods to prove the infinitude of primes in arithmetic progressions. I think it’s a fantastic proof---we’ll go through it together, and (time permitting) we’ll take a closer look at the remarkable properties of the L-functions involved. (Spoiler alert: these L-functions may be haunted!) Lastly, I’ll make sure to take a brief intermission during the talk to show you something completely unrelated—I want to share a bit of how I’ve been “staying sane” during the quarantine...

Mathematics

Audience: general audience

Pizza Seminar