Title: From dynamics to number theory and back again
Speaker: Michael Zieve
Speaker Info: University of Michigan
Brief Description:
Special Note:
Abstract:
In recent years, new connections between complex dynamics and number theory have yielded advances in both subjects. I will present several instances of this. In particular, I will determine the pairs of complex polynomials having forward orbits with infinite intersection, I will show that any polynomial with rational coefficients induces a map on the rational numbers which is at most 4-to-1 outside a finite set, and I will explain how these results suggest conjectural dynamical generalizations of some fundamental results in number theory (namely, the Mordell conjecture and Mazur's theorem on rational torsion on elliptic curves).Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011