Mathematics
and Computer Science Speaker Series
California State University, Stanislaus
Date: Tuesday, March 17,
2009
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m
Room: P-101
Speaker: Robert Niemeyer
Title: Fractal Billiards
Abstract: In this talk, we will examine the mathematics of
billiards. In particular, we focus on two well-understood
examples, the Square Billiard and the Equilateral Triangle
Billiard. We then discuss some of the basics of the beautiful
field of mathematics: Fractal Geometry. We give the construction
of basic fractal sets and explain why billiards cannot be easily
'played' on fractal tables. We discuss a possible approach to
solving the problem of reflecting off a fractal boundary.