Mathematics Colloquium: From Grassmannians to Automated Geometric Proofs

Speaker: Will Traves, U.S. Naval Academy

Title: From Grassmannians to Automated Geometric Proofs

Abstract: Fundamental relations among subdeterminants of matrices give rise to beautiful automated geometric proof techniques. I'll explain how one set of relations, the Grassmann-Plucker relations, arise from Cramer's Rule (yes, the much mocked item from a first course in matrix theory!). This leads to a technique that can be used to prove many results in projective geometry. The talk will be pitched at an accessible level.

Biographical Sketch: Will Traves is a Professor and former Chair at the U.S. Naval Academy Math Department. He's been awarded both the Halmos-Ford Award and the Hasse Prize from the Mathematical Association of America. His research is split between algebraic geometry and machine learning/data science.

Time: Friday, April 19, 2019, 3:30-4:20 p.m.

Place: Exploratory Hall, Room 4106

Coffee will be served at 3:00 p.m.