Yael Davidov, Rutgers University

Abstract

This talk will be about symmetric designs. Symmetric designs are mathematical objects that include but are not limited to finite projective planes and difference sets. I will define symmetric designs, give some cool examples, and provide an outline of a proof of the Bruck-Ryser-Chowla Theorem about the possible parameters of a design which uses some fun facts from algebra (quadratic forms) and number theory.