Abstracts for Frank Morgan, Clanton Visiting Mathematician, 2002-2003

PROOF OF THE DOUBLE BUBBLE CONJECTURE

ABSTRACT: A single round soap bubble provides the most efficient, least-area way to enclose a given volume of air. The Double Bubble Conjecture says that the familiar double soap bubble which forms when two soap bubbles come together provides the most efficient way to enclose and separate two given volumes of air. We'll discuss the problem, the recent proof, important contributions by undergraduates, and remaining open problems.




THE SOAP BUBBLE GEOMETRY CONTEST

ABSTRACT: A guessing contest with demonstrations, explanations, prizes, and some recent math news, including new results by undergraduates.