27/08/2018

"What does a mathematician study?", Julia Jaccoud asked at ICM 2018.

What is the hottest area of Mathematics? Faced with this question, the director-general of IMPA, Marcelo Viana, jokingly replies: "Mine, of course." In Julia Jaccoud's most recent video at the 2018 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) – held from August 1st to 9th in Rio – the researcher observes that, in Mathematics, this division into areas is artificial because, fundamentally, they are all related. "To study dynamical systems, I use algebra, I use topology, I use geometry," he notes.

In the nearly 17-minute video, broadcast on A Matemaníaca, Julia Jaccoud's YouTube channel, researchers from various specializations and institutions briefly describe their areas of expertise. Set theory, history of mathematics, topology, geometry, number theory, dynamical systems… The list is extensive, and judging by the comments from the channel's followers, it's difficult to choose among so many interesting options.

For those interested in dynamical systems and wanting to learn more, Viana suggests the lessons on differential equations available on IMPA's YouTube channel and a basic book, "An Introduction to Chaotic Dynamical Systems" by Robert Devaney. Finally, he offers what he considers his main piece of advice: "The best advice I can give is 'come to IMPA and take a course with us.' Because nothing can replace the opportunity to study with a professor and get a direct explanation from people who understand the subject. The best thing is to come to IMPA, it's free and it's fantastic."