Speaker: E. Arthur Robinson, George Washington University

Title: Thirty-six views of the Rauzy fractal

Abstract: How can you paint a picture of a number? In this talk we investigate some fractal sets associated with a class of algebraic integers called Pisot units. We will see how several of the main algorithms for drawing fractals can be interpreted in the context of these numbers. On the way we encounter exotic number systems, dynamical systems and quasiperiodic tilings of the plane.

Place: Science and Technology Building I, Room 242

Refreshments will be served before the talk at 3:00 p.m. in Room 222.

Department of Mathematical Sciences
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 3F2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
http://math.gmu.edu/
Tel. 703-993-1460, Fax. 703-993-1491