Pure Math Grad Colloquium

Aiden Suter, Department of Pure Mathematics, University of Waterloo

"A brief overview of monstrous moonshine"

The term monstrous moonshine describes the surprising connection between group theory and number theory first noticed in the 70s in which an unusual sequence of numbers appeared connecting modular functions and the monster group. What was perhaps once viewed as a spooky coincidence was later explained by a conjecture arising from high energy physics that was proven in the early 90s. In this talk I will give an introductory overview of the objects at play in this phenomenon and how they connect number theory, group theory and physics.

This talk will be held jointly online and in person:

• Room: MC 5417
• Zoom link: https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/97009128922?pwd=T2xHVy9uc1Z3ZHRmcEJhZkVJTm9TZz09