Jim Coykendall

Department of Mathematical Sciences, Clemson University

September 20, 2013

In this day of technology, it is fairly easy to do relatively complicated computations with the aid of a computer algebra system (or even a calculator) that would have seemed impossible even a generation ago. But what do these numbers mean (in particular large ones)? We will begin this talk by looking at large numbers and trying to attach some intuitive meaning to them (e.g. what does 10¹⁰⁰ really mean?).

This survey of large numbers will be our segue into the realm of some basic probability. With some classical problems of probability in mind, we will look at some elementary probability and produce some interesting (and in some cases, very non-intuitive) answers to some of these questions. No particular background is required for this talk, and I am willing to bet that I can give you a surprise or two in this talk!

Come one, come all...I hope to see you on Friday.