Abstract: Polya (1961) and Wessel (2012) investigated the hypothetical question of “What is the smallest fraction of the popular vote a candidate can receive and still be elected President of the United States?” What’s your best guess of the answer to this question? This talk will give a thorough account of the dynamics behind the question, pursue a sub-optimal approach, identify a more effective approach, and leave the audience with an invitation to explore some unresolved issues within this topic. A resource with historical data will also be offered to the audience for their continued exploration.
A free dinner will be held at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom prior the lecture. RSVPs are required for dinner, but not the lecture. To reserve seats for dinner, please .
2023: Dr. Ingrid Daubechies, Mathemalchomy: A Wonderland of Mathemtics
2022: Dr. Jeffrey Ehme, The Prime Connection
2019: Dr. Kevin Hutson & Dr. Liz Bouzarth, Discovering Math in the Magin in Walt Disney World
2018: Dr. Ami Radunskaya, Using Mathematics to Fight Cancer
2017: Dr. Tim Chartier, Mathematical Celebrity Look-Alikes
2016: Dr. Aparna Higgins, Demonic Graphs and Undergraduate Research
2015: Dr. Colm Mulcahy, Celebration of Mind: Connecting Mathematics, Magic & Mystery
2014: Dr. Michael Dorff, Movies and Math - Past, Present and Future
2013: Dr. Rachel Hall, Math for Poets and Drummers
2012: Dr. Gilbert Strang, Random Triangles and Mathematical Videos
2011: Prof. Jim Albert, Measuring Athletic Performance: The Role of Luck in Sports
2010: Dr. Navah Langmeyer, An Introduction to Cryptography and Public Encryption
2009: Dr. Frank Morgan, Soap Bubbles and Mathematics
2008: J.M. Cushing, Chaos from Simplicity
2007: Rose Mary Zbiek, Making Essential Ideas a Focal Point of Our Mathematics
2006: Brian Winkel, Cipher Busting by Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, William F. Friedman - and Beyond
2005: V. Frederick Rickey, Isaac Newton: Man Myth, and Mathematics
2004: Robert V. Hogg, The Importance of Understanding Variation
2003: Edward B. Burger, Magic with Mathematics
2002: Ivars Peterson, Moebius Madness
2001: Underwood Dudley, Why Mathematics
