Trek Talk Examines Mathematics in “Star Trek”

The next Trek Talk lecture from 6-7 p.m. March 1 will be hosted by Pam Ryan, professor of mathematics. She will discuss various examples of how mathematics is used in “Star Trek” and determine if the numbers used, or theorems discussed, are based on real mathematics or just a figment of the writers’ imaginations. These examples include Spock calculating the odds that the enterprise will survive an encounter with an alien spaceship in the original “Star Trek” series, to Captain Picard discussing Fermat’s last theorem in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” This is an in-person event, but those who wish to attend this event via Zoom should email Jared Young at jyoung@truman.edu.