Abstract

Symmetry is all around us. Our eyes and minds are drawn to symmetrical objects, from the sphere to the swastika, from the pyramid to the pentagon. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world around us, this unique, all-pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects. In chemistry and physics the concept of symmetry explains the structure of crystals or the theory of fundamental particles; in evolutionary biology, the natural world exploits symmetry in the fight for survival; and symmetry—and the breaking of it—are central to ideas in art, architecture, and music. This talk takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as Marcus du Sautoy explores deep conjectures about symmetry. These conjectures have culminated in the most exciting discovery to date—the summit of mathematicians’ mastery in the field—the Monster, a huge snowflake that lives in 196,883-dimensional space with more symmetries than there are atoms in the sun.

About the speaker: Marcus du Sautoy is currently a Research Fellow at the Royal Society and has been named by The Independent on Sunday as one of the UK’s leading scientists. He is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a fellow of Wadham College. He has previously written in The Times, appeared on Radio 4 on numerous occasions, and is the author of The Music of the Primes.

Audience: ages 16+, general public

Admission to the lecture is free but by ticket only. For tickets please e-mail Heather Benucci at mmptalks@hermes.cam.ac.uk or call 01223 766839; include your name, the title and date of the lecture, the number of tickets requested and a postal address in your message.

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