Combinatorics Seminar

When: Sunday, January 25, 10am Where: Schreiber 309 Speaker: Nathan Linial, Hebrew University Title: Combinatorics meets topology

Abstract:

A simplicial complex is a very natural combinatorial object: This is just a down-closed family of finite sets. Simplicial complexes can also be used to encode geometric/topological objects. This interface between combinatorics and topology has already yielded several beautiful results and insights, but the number of such connections is still quite small. In this talk I will describe my own foray into this territory. My main emphasis is on several extremal and probabilistic problems concerning simplicial complexes.

No previous background in topology is necessary to follow this talk.