On Wednesday, October 9, 2013, Dr. William Dunham,
Truman Koehler Professor of Mathematics at Muhlenberg College,
will present a colloquium lecture about An Afternoon With Euler.
Abstract:
Leonhard Euler (1707–1783) ranks among history’s greatest mathematicians.
The breadth and depth of his discoveries easily justify his placement on the mathematical Mount Rushmore.
I will begin this talk with a brief biography and a survey of some of Euler’s triumphs from the realms
of analysis, geometry, discrete mathematics, and number theory. Then I will consider a specific achievement:
his determination of the exact value of the infinite series \( 1 + \frac 14 + \frac 19 + \frac 1{16} + \cdots\),
the so-called “Basel Problem.” He did this in various ways over his career, but I shall examine, in full detail,
the 1755 argument in which he evaluated the series by invoking l’Hospital’s rule not once, not twice, but thrice!
In this little-known proof, Euler’s mathematical brilliance is on full display...
This colloquium will be held in
7800 York Road,
Room 320 at 4:00 p.m., with light refreshments served at 3:30 p.m.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000