Most mathematicians have encountered Poisson's remarkable method for integrating the Gaussian function exp(-x^2). One squares the integral, writes the square as an integral in the plane, transforms to polar co-ordinates, and the answer magically pops out. A natural question to ask is, what other functions can be integrated by Poisson's method? In this talk we explore this question. The answer is rather surprising.

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Colloquia are designed to be of interest to a general mathematical audience and to be accessible without specialist knowledge.

There will be wine and cheese afterwards.
 

Convenor: Ian Wanless - firstname.lastname@sci.monash.edu.au