The Many Names of (7,3,1)
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Ezra Brown
Department of Mathematics, Virginia Tech
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Abstract: (7,3,1) is a magical mathematical object with at least
eighteen different names. It has connections with finite geometry,
combinatorial designs, graph theory, matrix algebra, number theory,
abstract algebra, topology, coding theory, the octonion units,
Klein's quartic curve, and the Seven Hats Problem. The speaker
promises not to talk about all of them.
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Biographical Sketch: Ezra (Bud) Brown has degrees from Rice and
Louisiana State, and has been at Virginia Tech since 1969, where he
is currently Alumni Distinguished Professor of Mathematics. His
research interests include number theory and combinatorics, and he
particularly enjoys discovering connections between apparently
unrelated areas of mathematics. He is a frequent contributor to the
journals published by the Mathematical Association of America. He
enjoys singing (everything from grand opera to rock'n'roll), playing
jazz piano, and working with students who are engaged in
research. He occasionally bakes biscuits for his students.
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