Ed Packel, Volwiler Professor of Mathematics, Lake Forest College.

Symbolic Dynamics: A Mathematica(l) Window to Chaos

A brief overview of iteration and its central role in generating fractal images and chaotic behavior will be followed by a mathematical definition of chaos. Conceptual difficulties in establishing the chaotic nature of "numerical" dynamical systems can be elegantly resolved by the introduction of symbolic dynamics. This expository, Mathematica-based talk will explain and illustrate these ideas, showing in the process the power and utility of computer algebra systems in presenting mathematical ideas.

Puzzles and Paradoxes in Game Theory

Four intriguing problems from game theory will be presented and  discussed. They include Pascal's Wager, the St. Petersburg Paradox, the  Prisoner's Dilemma, and Newcomb's Problem.