Speaker:

Javed Iqbal Khan
Kent State University Ohio, USA.

Date:

August 30, 2005 (Tuesday)

Title:

GRID Computing

Abstract:

In this paper we discuss an emerging trend in high performance computing- the social or community computing. The emergence of screensaver computing, grid computing, peer-to-peer systems, and their demonstrated ability to garner computing power as potent as the supercomputers seems to be auspicious. In this paper we discuss the new phenomenon of community computing- including their potential applications in solving a new set of grand challenge problems. We also discuss the previously uncharted technological challenges architects of these new paradigms are addressing

Speaker:

Amer Iqbal
Washington University, USA.

Date:

June 23, 2005 (Thursday)

Title:

KNOTS and KNOTS Invariants

Abstract:

Knots and various invariants associated with them will be discussed. No prior knowledge of knot theory will be assumed.

Speaker:

Ashraf Iqbal            ;                 Yasser Hashmi
Lahore University of Management Sciences

Date:

June 09, 2005 (Thursday)

Title:

Problem of Learning : Case
Study of a Problem in Theoretical Computer Science

Abstract:

In today’s “Information society,” the future of economic well-being rests on the effectiveness of schools and corporations to empower their people to be more effective learners and knowledge creators.                    Joseph D. Novak

Understanding the processes that takes place inside the human mind-while it is thinking and learning-has remained an elusive exercise mostly because of lack of powerful research tools and techniques. Now because of recent advances in various branches of science dealing with mind and brain, it has become possible to better understand the processes of thinking and learning. For example research from cognitive psychology has considerably increased our understanding of the principles of knowledge organization that govern people’s abilities to learn, understand and create new knowledge. It is perhaps the right time to apply these developments in the study of learning to help people to think and read critically, to express themselves clearly and persuasively, and to solve complex problems. In this paper we would be applying tools and techniques of science of learning to determine why one finds difficulty in learning and fails to find a solution to a number of problems in graph algorithms even if one has all the prerequisite knowledge as well as the motivation to do it. We shall substantiate our claims by analyzing student performances in an examination, and also by conducting a number of structured interviews.

Speaker:

Arif Zaman
Lahore University of Management Sciences

Date:

May 05, 2005 (Thursday)

Title:

What if we had negative fingers on each hand ?

Abstract:

We are used to counting in base 10, because we have ten fingers on each hand. Other bases like 2, 8, 12, 16, 60 are used in computers, clocks and have been used by other civilizations. In this talk we will see how it is still possible to count if we choose a negative number as a base. An even more wonderful thing happens when we consider what would happen if we had a complex number of fingers!

Speaker:

Ayesha Nadir Ali
Department of Mathematics,
Lahore University of Management Sciences

Date:

April 7, 2005 (Thursday)

Title:

Tracing How and When Mathematics Began: The Role of Mesopotamia/Babylon

Abstract:

One of the most fundamental revaluations in recent times in the history of mathematics has been the realization of the scope and sophistication of mathematical activity in ancient Mesopotamia (areas around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present day Iraq and its neighbors). Additionally, the role of this region in the subsequent growth of mathematics as we know it is critical. This talk aims at tracing out this role and in the process will attempt to ‘discover’ the beginnings of mathematic. It is imperative that we understand the immense debt we owe to diverse cultures and how interconnected they are in evolving systems of knowledge. The Mesopotamians were using the ‘Pythagorean’ theorem and so were the Egyptians well before the use of this result in the Greek islands, where all evidence points it entered via these areas. Early Greek mathematics rests on developments that took place in these ‘cradles of civilization’.  We will look at some of these early developments and attempt to gain a glimpse of mathematics as a vast endeavor of the human intellect and human civilizations.

Speaker:

Amer Iqbal
Harvard University, USA

Date:

October 28, 2004 (Thursday)

Title:

Impossible Objects

Abstract:

We will discuss some objects which cannot exist and the reasons for their non-existence.

Speaker:

Arif Zaman
Lahore University of Management Sciences

Date:

September 30, 2004 (Thursday)

Title:

Advantages of Non-Circular Tires

Abstract:

Car tires are round, and hence cars drive smoothly. Ball bearings are round, and hence allow smooth rolling. Manhole covers are round, and hence can’t fall in the manhole. Drill bits are round, and drill circular holes.

It would seem like no shape other than a circle would work for these. We will try to surprise you by giving interesting alternatives to the dull old circle/sphere/cylinder. The famous Buffon's needle problem will be mentioned as well, because it is needed in a proof.

Speaker:

Arif Zaman
Lahore University of Management Sciences

Date:

September 9, 2004 (Thursday)

Title:

How to Draw a Straight Line ?

Abstract:

Usually we think of a straight line as a basic figure, while a circle is considered a more complex kind of shape. To draw a straight line, one first needs a ruler with a straight edge. But to create a straight edge one needs a straight line. We seem to be in a vicious circle.

A circle, on the other hand, can be drawn by using any solid object (even if it is crooked) which is pinned at one end, and has a pen fixed at the other end.

In this talk we will discuss this problem whose solution eluded some great mathematicians for a long time, and yet has not one but many simple solutions.