• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Mathematics
College of Arts & Sciences
  • Info
    • Available Positions in Mathematics
    • Contact Us
    • Faculty Information (restricted access)
    • Faculty Office Hours
    • FAQs
    • Living in Waco
    • Message from the Chair
    • Newsletters
    • Sid Richardson Building Guidelines and Rules
  • People
    • Adjunct Lecturers
    • Administrative Faculty
    • Emeritus and Retired Faculty
    • Faculty
    • Graduate Students
    • Office Staff
    • Visiting Professors
  • News
  • Friends of the Department
    • Ralph and Jean Storm
  • Conferences
    • ICM 2026 Satellite Conference
    • Past Conferences
      • Recent Advances in Harmonic Analysis and Partial Differential Equations
      • Brazos Analysis Seminar
      • SIAM Conference
      • WAECO workshop
      • 2024 Texas Differential Equations Conference
      • November 2023 Fritz Fest
      • October 2023 Brazos Analysis Seminar
      • May 2022 Baylor Analysis Fest
      • April 2022 Partial Differential Equations Conference
  • Events
  • Talks
    • Dr. Edward Burger - Public Lecture
    • Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2022-2023 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2019-2020 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2018-2019 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2017-2018 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2016-2017 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2010-2011 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2009-2010 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2008-2009 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2007-2008 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2023-2024 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2019-2020 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2018-2019 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2017-2018 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2016-2017 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2012-2013 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2009-2010 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2008-2009 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
    • Colloquia
    • Life Experiences in Mathematics Series
      • 2009-2010 Life Experiences in Mathematics Lecture Series
      • 2010-2011 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2012-2013 - Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Life Experiences in Mathematics
    • Research Seminars
    • Solar Eclipse Related Talk
  • Undergraduate Program
    • Academic Resources
    • ALEKS Placement Exam
      • ALEKS Summer/Fall 2025
      • ALEKS Summer/Fall 2025 (ADA)
    • Apply Now
    • AWM - Baylor Chapter
    • Course Descriptions
      • 1000 Level
      • 2000 Level
      • 3000 Level
      • 4000 Level
      • Statistics Courses
      • Baylor Course Listings
    • Major in Mathematics!
    • Majors
      • B.S. in Mathematics
      • B.S. in Applied Mathematics
      • B.A. in Mathematics
      • B. A. in Mathematics with Mathematics Education Concentration
      • B.S. in Mathematics with Mathematics Education Concentration
      • Mathematics Minor
      • Secondary Major in Mathematics
    • Math Careers & Opportunities
    • Math Lab and Tutors
    • Math Videos
    • Mathematics Scholarships
      • Scholarship Form
    • Studying Tips
    • Transfer Policy
    • Undergraduate Advising
    • Undergraduate FAQs
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Baylor Math Circle
  • Graduate Program
    • Apply to Our Programs
    • AWM - Baylor Chapter
    • Course Descriptions
      • 4000 Level - Electives
      • 5000 Level - Core
      • 5000 Level - Electives
      • 6000 Level - Electives
    • Former Ph.D. Students
    • Graduate Advising
    • Graduate Faculty
    • Graduate FAQs
    • Graduate Student Information (restricted access)
    • Guidelines for Doctoral Students
    • Multimedia Resources
    • Ph.D. Degree
    • Previous Qualifying Examinations
    • Teaching Opportunities
    • Why Come to Baylor?
  • Research
    • Algebra
    • Analysis
    • Differential Equations
    • Logic
    • Mathematical Physics
    • Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics
    • Representation Theory
    • Topology
  • Giving
Baylor BU Mathematics Talks Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics 2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
  • Dr. Edward Burger - Public Lecture
  • Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
  • Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2023-2024 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2019-2020 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2018-2019 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2017-2018 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2016-2017 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2015-2016 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2014-2015 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2013-2014 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2012-2013 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • 2011-2012 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
    • 2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
    • 2009-2010 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
    • 2008-2009 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
  • Colloquia
  • Life Experiences in Mathematics Series
  • Research Seminars
  • Solar Eclipse Related Talk

2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series

William Dunham
William Dunham

William Dunham

Professor William Dunham was the speaker in the third annual Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics on October 18-19, 2010. Dr. Dunham is the Truman Koehler Professor of Mathematics at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He is one of the preeminent mathematical historians in the United States.

Professor Dunham earned his B.S. in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1969 and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1974. He has written four books and edited one on the history of mathematics. These books are: Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics, The Mathematical Universe, Euler: The Master of Us All, and Calculus Gallery: Masterpieces from Newton to Lebesgue. In addition, he edited The Genius of Euler: Selections from His Life and Work that was published as part of the celebration of Euler's 300th birthday. In addition, he has written a number of articles on historical topics in mathematics, including Euler and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra which received the 1992 George Polya Award from the MAA, 1996: A Triple Anniversary which won the 1997 Trevor Evans Award from the MAA, and Touring the Calculus Gallery in which he received the 2006 Lester R. Ford Award from the MAA.

He is a popular speaker on the history of mathematics. Besides lecturing at several universities in the United States, Professor Dunham has lectured before the Australian Mathematical Society, at the Smithsonian Institution, at the Swiss Embassy in Washington, and has been a guest on NPR's "Talk of the Nation: Science Friday".

Poster Advertising Professor Dunham's Lectures (740.91 KB)

The titles, and abstracts, for his two lectures are:

Monday, October 18, 2010 at 4:00 pm - D109 Baylor Sciences Building

Public Lecture: Newton and Leibniz: Mathematicians at War

Abstract: In this talk, we trace the careers of England's Isaac Newton and Germany's Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the extraordinary geniuses who independently created calculus in the late seventeenth century. As their work led them down similar paths, vague suspicions of impropriety became explicit accusations of plagiarism. The bitter charges that were hurled back and forth across the English Channel, although perhaps amusing in retrospect, certainly do not represent one of mathematics' finest hours. We shall describe their priority dispute and one of its most memorable skirmishes - the challenge problem of the brachistochrone - which produced as dramatic an outcome as the history of mathematics is likely to see. NOTE: This talk is intended for a general audience.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at 4:00 pm - SR344

Euler's Amicable Numbers

Abstract: In this talk, we first sketch the life and work of Leonhard Euler (1707 - 1783), one of the great figures from the long and glorious history of mathematics. We then consider a specific problem from number theory: the construction of amicable pairs (recall that two whole numbers are amicable if each is the sum of the proper whole number divisors of the other). The Greeks knew the amicable pair 220 and 284, and two other pairs were found prior to the 18th century, when Euler arrived on the scene. In an awesome display of mathematical power, he found 58 new ones! Our mission is to show how he did it - i.e., how he single-handedly increased the world's supply of amicable numbers twenty-fold. His argument is extremely clever yet so easy to follow that we will generate a “new” amicable pair right before your eyes. This provides another reminder, if another is necessary, of why Euler is such a towering figure in the history of mathematics. NOTE: Any mathematics major (or minor) should find the talk easily accessible.

Department of Mathematics

Sid Richardson Building
1410 S.4th Street
Waco, TX 76706

math@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3562
News
Faculty
Give
Apply
Research
Baylor BU Mathematics Talks Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics 2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
  • Info
    Back
    • Available Positions in Mathematics
    • Contact Us
    • Faculty Information (restricted access)
    • Faculty Office Hours
    • FAQs
    • Living in Waco
    • Message from the Chair
    • Newsletters
    • Sid Richardson Building Guidelines and Rules
  • People
    Back
    • Adjunct Lecturers
    • Administrative Faculty
    • Emeritus and Retired Faculty
    • Faculty
    • Graduate Students
    • Office Staff
    • Visiting Professors
  • News
  • Friends of the Department
    Back
    • Ralph and Jean Storm
  • Conferences
    Back
    • ICM 2026 Satellite Conference
    • Past Conferences
      Back
      • Recent Advances in Harmonic Analysis and Partial Differential Equations
      • Brazos Analysis Seminar
      • SIAM Conference
      • WAECO workshop
      • 2024 Texas Differential Equations Conference
      • November 2023 Fritz Fest
      • October 2023 Brazos Analysis Seminar
      • May 2022 Baylor Analysis Fest
        Back
        • Baylor Analysis Fest Conference Schedule
        • Baylor Analysis Fest Participants
      • April 2022 Partial Differential Equations Conference
  • Events
  • Talks
    Back
    • Dr. Edward Burger - Public Lecture
    • Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      Back
      • 2022-2023 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2019-2020 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2018-2019 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2017-2018 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2016-2017 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2010-2011 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2009-2010 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2008-2009 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2007-2008 Baylor Lecture Series in Mathematics
    • Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      Back
      • 2023-2024 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2019-2020 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2018-2019 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2017-2018 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2016-2017 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2012-2013 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2010-2011 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2009-2010 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
      • 2008-2009 Baylor Undergraduate Lecture Series
    • Colloquia
    • Life Experiences in Mathematics Series
      Back
      • 2009-2010 Life Experiences in Mathematics Lecture Series
      • 2010-2011 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2011-2012 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2012-2013 - Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2013-2014 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2014-2015 Life Experiences in Mathematics
      • 2015-2016 Life Experiences in Mathematics
    • Research Seminars
    • Solar Eclipse Related Talk
  • Undergraduate Program
    Back
    • Academic Resources
    • ALEKS Placement Exam
      Back
      • ALEKS Summer/Fall 2025
      • ALEKS Summer/Fall 2025 (ADA)
    • Apply Now
    • AWM - Baylor Chapter
    • Course Descriptions
      Back
      • 1000 Level
      • 2000 Level
      • 3000 Level
      • 4000 Level
      • Statistics Courses
      • Baylor Course Listings
    • Major in Mathematics!
    • Majors
      Back
      • B.S. in Mathematics
      • B.S. in Applied Mathematics
      • B.A. in Mathematics
      • B. A. in Mathematics with Mathematics Education Concentration
      • B.S. in Mathematics with Mathematics Education Concentration
      • Mathematics Minor
      • Secondary Major in Mathematics
    • Math Careers & Opportunities
    • Math Lab and Tutors
    • Math Videos
    • Mathematics Scholarships
      Back
      • Scholarship Form
    • Studying Tips
    • Transfer Policy
    • Undergraduate Advising
    • Undergraduate FAQs
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Baylor Math Circle
  • Graduate Program
    Back
    • Apply to Our Programs
    • AWM - Baylor Chapter
    • Course Descriptions
      Back
      • 4000 Level - Electives
      • 5000 Level - Core
      • 5000 Level - Electives
      • 6000 Level - Electives
    • Former Ph.D. Students
    • Graduate Advising
    • Graduate Faculty
    • Graduate FAQs
    • Graduate Student Information (restricted access)
    • Guidelines for Doctoral Students
    • Multimedia Resources
    • Ph.D. Degree
    • Previous Qualifying Examinations
    • Teaching Opportunities
    • Why Come to Baylor?
  • Research
    Back
    • Algebra
    • Analysis
    • Differential Equations
    • Logic
    • Mathematical Physics
    • Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics
    • Representation Theory
    • Topology
  • Giving
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678