16/05/2022

OBMEP medalists participate in Hilbert's Hotel

Young people passionate about mathematics from all regions of the country are participating, starting this Monday (16), in the 7th Hilbert Hotel Meeting , in Florianópolis (SC). Promoted by IMPA through the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) , the meeting brings together almost 200 students from the 6th year of Elementary School to the 3rd year of High School for an immersion in mathematics until May 19. There will be four days of classes, activities and challenges, at no cost to the participating students.

The meeting will feature 14 university professors who will present innovative, creative, and intriguing topics to the students, selected based on their academic performance in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program (PIC) . The students participate in classes and lectures, and each day they are challenged to solve the "Problem of the Day." The best solutions will be presented to their peers and professors.

The lectures cover topics such as mathematics and oil exploration, large numbers and their relationship to the universe, how to use mathematics to make more accurate bets, and how to choose the best strategies in game theory. The instructors also offer reflections on geometry, Pythagoras, magic cards, subtraction games, numerical sequences with figurate numbers and central polygons, among others.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Paulo Alvim, participated virtually in the opening of the meeting and congratulated the students who are participating, in addition to highlighting IMPA's work in organizing the OBMEP. The opening lecture by Professor Krerley Oliveira, from the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), presented the importance of mathematics for society.

Hilbert's Hotel Meeting

The 7th edition of the Hilbert Hotel Meeting is organized by IMPA and has the support of the Itaú Social Foundation, CAPES and CNPq, as well as the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM). The first edition was held in Nova Friburgo (RJ), in July 2011.

The meeting was inspired by "Hilbert's Hotel," a paradox presented by the German mathematician David Hilbert (1862-1943). He used the analogy of a hotel with an infinite number of always-full rooms, with one guest in each room. Whenever a new guest arrives, the manager asks the existing guests to move to the next room. In mathematical terms, with the new arrival, the guest in room 'n' jumps to room 'n+1', and so on. In other words, despite always being full, there are always vacancies in Hilbert's Hotel.