Laczkovich Miklós: The phantom of graphing functions

ELTE Analízis tanszék szemináruma

Abstract: When teaching differential calculus, we suggestively pretend that the method allows us to determine (at least theoretically, but algorithmically) the fundamental properties of any real function that can be expressed by formula, e.g. whether it has a root or whether it takes a positive value. It has been known since the sixties that this is not true. In my talk I will present the history of the subject and outline some recent results.