Computational Algebra Seminar

Computational Algebra Seminar

Paul Norbury
Adelaide

An application of computers to a topological problem in algebraic geometry

Thursday 19th July, 2-3pm

Eastern Avenue Tutorial Room 404

The ability of a computer to find approximate roots to polynomials is very useful when we deal with "flabby", or topological, properties of the polynomials. In this talk I will introduce a simple topological problem involving polynomials and describe a primitive method to solve the problem in small cases. Already these small cases are more complicated than most examples that appear in current research. More precisely, the lecture considers the problem of calculating fundamental groups of complements of plane curves, although knowledge of fundamental groups will not be necessary.