Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 53 minutes ago
Math Encounters: "Patterns in Permutations: the hidden and surprising structures that emerge from ordered lists" with Lara Pudwell on June 2, 2021
A "permutation" is a list where order matters. Despite this humble definition, permutations offer a wealth of beautiful mathematics that can be applied across scientific disciplines. Starting simply, with small ordered lists, mathematician Lara Pudwell demonstrates how smaller permutations can be embedded into larger permutations. The results are both unexpected and delightful — not only do some familiar patterns suddenly appear, but this embedding gives rise to a host of interesting counting problems with connections not just to mathematics, but to computer science, chemistry, and more. Special introduction by Dr. Jennifer Quinn, Professor of Mathematics, University of Washington Tacoma, and President, Mathematical Association of America.
Math Encounters is a public presentation series celebrating the spectacular world of mathematics, presented by the Simons Foundation and the National Museum of Mathematics.
For further information, call the National Museum of Mathematics at
212-542-0566 or e-mail mathencounters@momath.org.
Math Encounters: "Patterns in Permutations: the hidden and surprising structures that emerge from ordered lists" with Lara Pudwell on June 2, 2021
A "permutation" is a list where order matters. Despite this humble definition, permutations offer a wealth of beautiful mathematics that can be applied across scientific disciplines. Starting simply, with small ordered lists, mathematician Lara Pudwell demonstrates how smaller permutations can be embedded into larger permutations. The results are both unexpected and delightful — not only do some familiar patterns suddenly appear, but this embedding gives rise to a host of interesting counting problems with connections not just to mathematics, but to computer science, chemistry, and more. Special introduction by Dr. Jennifer Quinn, Professor of Mathematics, University of Washington Tacoma, and President, Mathematical Association of America.
Math Encounters is a public presentation series celebrating the spectacular world of mathematics, presented by the Simons Foundation and the National Museum of Mathematics.
For further information, call the National Museum of Mathematics at
212-542-0566 or e-mail mathencounters@momath.org.
