The Bernoulli Family and Some of their Mathematical Creations

Professor Peter Schumer will present a mathematics seminar talk on “The Bernoulli Family and Some of their Mathematical Creations.” The Swiss Bernoulli family included at least eight prominent mathematicians and scientists. He will discuss a bit of their family history - especially brothers Jakob (1654 - 1705) and Johann (1667 - 1748) and Johann’s son Daniel (1700 - 1782). He will then give a brief overview of some of their interesting mathematics such as the brachistochrone problem (curve of quickest descent) and the gambling problem known as the St. Petersburg Paradox. Our discussion will culminate in finding the area from x = 0 to x = 1 above the x-axis that lies beneath the curve y = x^x. Refreshments at 3 PM; all are welcome.