Department of Mathematics

Larry Rolen

As part of the VSA summer program offered by Vanderbilt’s Program for Talented Youth, Larry Rolen taught a 2 week course called “Exploring Number Theory: Unveiling the Queen of Mathematics.” This was an intensive introduction to number theory for 12 gifted high schoolers from across the country and the world. Students met from 8:45-3:45 every day, alternating lectures, group problem solving, and open-ended programming sessions designed to build students’ intuition and foster discovery and mathematical experimentation. Students learned the core topics in elementary number theory, from Euclidean Division through quadratic reciprocity, with glimpses of more modern applications.