Sphere Packings and foams
Topic
Kepler's conjecture asserts that the densest possible arrangement of
congruent balls in three dimensions is the familiar pyramid
arrangement, which is used to stack oranges at the fruit stand. A
300-page proof of this theorem finally appeared in July, after a review
process that lasted eight years. This theorem, while rather difficult
to prove, can be considered as a warm-up exercise to a number of
interesting conjectures related to sphere packings and foams in three
dimensions and higher.
Speakers
Additional Information
PIMS Distinguished Chair Lectures 2006
Thomas C. Hales (University of Pittsburgh)
