Abstract: In standard undergraduate calculus courses, we learn how to do calculus (Newtonian calculus) for "flat Euclidean" spaces. However, if we deal with curved surfaces, we use a different kind of calculus called Ricci Calculus. Furthermore, if we're dealing with "surfaces" that don't have a consistent way of measuring things, we use new machinery called Tractor calculus. In this talk, I'll talk about Tractor calculus and its applications.
PS: This is the introductory lecture of the (informal) conformal geometry course that I plan to give this summer for the graduate students at OSU. In this first/introductory lecture, I will tactfully avoid differential geometric and bundle theoretic jargon to make this talk accessible to general audiences.
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