Registration opens for a limited number of seats on October 22, 2026, at 9am CT.
Join renowned mathematician and Fields Medalist Terence Tao for an exploration of six foundational mathematical concepts that have shaped the field from antiquity to the present day. Drawing from themes in his book Six Math Essentials, Tao will discuss how numbers, algebra, geometry, probability, analysis, and dynamics provide powerful frameworks for understanding our increasingly complex world.
Through this talk, Tao will demonstrate that mathematics is far more than formulas and calculations. It is a creative, interconnected way of thinking that helps us reason, solve problems, and make sense of uncertainty. Whether you're a lifelong math enthusiast or simply curious about the ideas that underpin modern science and technology, this lecture offers an accessible introduction to the beauty and power of mathematical thinking.
Book Signing
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A book signing will immediately follow the lecture. Copies of Six Math Essentials will be available for purchase.
Virtual Attendance Option
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This program will be presented in-person at The Linda Hall. If you'd prefer to watch this program virtually, please follow this link to register:
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On view at the Library: Alchemy of Knowledge
Explore our free exhibition, Alchemy of Knowledge: Science and Mystery from Shakespeare to AI, now on view at The Linda Hall. Exhibition galleries are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on second Saturdays of each month; and during evenings when the Library hosts public programs.
Terence Tao
Professor of Mathematics and James and Carol Collins Chair in the College of Arts and Letters, UCLAÂ
Terence Tao is a professor of mathematics at UCLA whose work focuses primarily on harmonic analysis, partial differential equations, combinatorics, and analytic number theory. The recipient of a Fields Medal, a MacArthur Genius Grant, and a Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics, among many other accolades, he is one of the most decorated and prolific mathematicians working today. Tao is the author of several academic books, including Solving Mathematical Problems: A Personal Perspective and Additive Combinatorics.
Professor Tao is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences. From 2020-2024, he served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He received his PhD in mathematics from Princeton University.
