Paul Zorn, Professor of mathematics at Saint Olaf College and President of the MAA, will give the 5th Pi MU Epsilon Lecture at UNL, entitled ``Extreme Caluclus". Born and raised in India, Zorn moved to the U.S. to attend Washington University in Saint Louis, majoring in mathematics and English. He did his PhD, in several complex variables, at the University of Washington, Seattle. In 1981 he joined the faculty of St. Olaf, where he chaired the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Zorn's professional interests include complex analysis, mathematical exposition, textbook writing, and the role of mathematics among the liberal arts. He is also interested in using computer graphics and computer algebra systems to help students learn, explore, and "own" mathematical ideas. Zorn has served on many MAA committees and programs over the years.
In his talk Zorn will show that there is more to elementary calculus than may first meet the eye. Well-worn calculus techniques and topics---polynomials, optimization, root-finding, methods of integration, and more---often point to deeper, more general, more interesting, and sometimes surprising mathematical ideas and techniques. These will be illustrated with figures, examples, and calculations that take elementary calculus to its extreme.
Prior to the talk undergraduate students are invited for informal discussions with Professor Zorn at a brown bag lunch served in Avery Hall 348 between 12:30--2:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics and the local Pi Mu Epsilon chapter, which is part of the Math Club.
For more information on this event and other upcoming Math Club activities, please visit http://www.math.unl.edu/~math-club/events/ or contact Petronela Radu at pradu@math.un.edu.
More details at: http://events.unl.edu/2011/09/23/59811/