Host Institution:

University of Technology, Sydney

Title of Seminar:

La Trobe University, Mathematics Colloquium

Speaker's Name:

Dr. Marcel Jackson

Speaker's Institution:

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University

Time and Date:

2pm Friday 19th September

Seminar Abstract:

While the basic algebraic properties of numbers are encountered at high school, the algebraic properties of other commonly encountered mathematical objects are usually far less familiar. We will consider a natural way to view computer programs (or at least “abstract algorithms”) as algebras, such that the algebraic equations of the theory correspond to equivalent actions for computer programs. A focus will be recent joint work with Tim Stokes (University of Waikato, NZ) that has led to new laws governing the “algebra of deterministic programs”, and some interesting results concerning the “if-then-else” construction. The talk is aimed at a general mathematical audience: whose memory of “abstract algebra” might be moderately distant and with no computer programming experience assumed. It should be suitable for advanced undergraduate students.

Seminar Convenor:

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