You might be surprised to hear that the technologies behind everyday items like cellular phones, maps, security systems, and even the game of Sudoku, wouldn’t be feasible without a little-discussed concept called the four colour theorem. The theorem states that, given a separation of a plane into adjoining regions (for example, think of a map of the United States), only four colours are needed to colour the regions of the map so that no two adjacent regions have the same colour. The applications for this theorem are extensive, and have a major impact on the day-to-day lives of billions of people.

Join Prosenjit Bose, a professor in the School of Computer Science at Carleton University, as he discusses the wide-ranging applications for the four colour theorem and the Euclidian Ramsey Theory, and explains how modern life would be very different without them.

Where: Ottawa Public Library, Sunnyside Branch, 1049 Bank Street.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The free 20-minute discussion will be followed by a question and answer session.  The Science Café series takes place every second Wednesday until Apr. 23, 2014.

The Science Café series is organized by the Faculty of Science at Carleton University to discuss relevant issues facing our society and how science can help solve real-world problems. Meet some of our award-winning faculty members and graduate students as they share their excitement about science with the community. For more information, visit Sciencecafe.Carleton.ca.

For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca

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