Distinguished Visiting Professor Talk: Ralf Schmidt 1/31 @ 4 pm in Olin 372

Title: What is Number Theory?

Abstract: In its original meaning, Number Theory is concerned with the properties of the “natural” numbers 1, 2, 3, … In this talk we will attempt to explain how the consequent study of “elementary” properties of numbers leads naturally to the theory of automorphic forms and the vast web of conjectures known as the “Langlands program”.