N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdös


A man with no home and no job, Paul Erdös (1913–1996) was the most prolific mathematician who ever lived. Establishing himself at the age of 20, Erdös published over 1500 papers and pioneered several fields in theoretical mathematics. This movie captures the quirky genius who spent most of his time wandering, “like a bumblebee,” carrying news and mathematical information from university to university.

Q&A and MATH PARTY with Ron Graham, Joel Spencer and Glen Whitney. Former circus performer, past president of the International Jugglers’ Association, and distinguished mathematician Ron Graham was one of Paul Erdös’ closest friends and colleagues. He is a computer science and engineering professor at UC San Diego and chief scientist at the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology. Joel Spencer is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society and is a combinatorialist who has worked on probabilistic methods in combinatorics and on Ramsey theory. He is currently a professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences of New York University. Glen Whitney is co-executive director and founder of MoMath, a museum dedicated to creating “a safe place to love math.”

After the discussion, join us upstairs in the Jane Peck Gallery where there will be games, interactive exhibits from MoMath, and pi(e) and other treats from Flour & Sun Bakery.

Copresented with the National Museum of Mathematics

Event Location and Ticket Information

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Jacob Burns Film Center
364 Manville Road
Pleasantville, 10570
Handicap Accessible? Yes

Date: Monday, May 5, 2014
Times: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Ticket pricing:

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$10 - Members
$15 - Nonmembers

Presenter: Jacob Burns Film Center
Presenter Phone: 914.747.5555
Presenter Website: burnsfilmcenter.org

Sponsor Message

Science on Screen is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre with major support Alfred P. Sloan Foundation