Gary Lorden: Math by the NUMB3RS

Watson Lectures are digitally recorded and made available for viewing on the Caltech Theater site. Please note, however, that due to copyright issues, Dr. Lorden's talk will not be posted to that site.

Last January television viewers were treated to something completely different: a prime-time series about a young genius math professor at CalSci (modeled after Caltech) who helps his FBI agent brother solve crimes. Lorden will talk about his experiences as a technical advisor for the show. With clips and slides he will explain how NUMB3RS combines realistic applications of mathematics, dramatic crime-solving and famous unsolved problems in a unique package that has scored surprising ratings success while sparking people's interest in mathematics. Where do they get those equations and formulas? Are they really right? Now in its second season, will NUMB3RS run out of mathematical ideas? Lorden will answer these and other questions about math's starring role in primetime.

Show creators and head writers Cheryl Heuton and Nick Falacci will join Lorden for conversation and Q&A at the end of his lecture. Actor David Krumholtz will participate as well, his shooting schedule permitting.

Gary Lorden is Professor of Mathematics and Caltech's Executive Officer for Mathematics ... and heads the team of Caltech mathematicians who serve as consultants for the show NUMB3RS.

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