Spring 2000
Richard Guy
The Noyce Visitor for the spring semester was mathematician Richard Guy, Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary. Richard Guy is one of the world's best-known problem proposers and solvers, having a long association with the Problem Sector of the American Mathematical Monthly. He is also a renowned number theorist and one of the major developers of the field of combinatorial games.
During his seven week stay at Grinnell, Guy taught two short courses. The first, intended for students with modest mathematical backgrounds, was in Combinatorial Games (he is the co-author of the text Winning Ways). The second, intended for students with a more substantial background, was on Advanced Topics in Number Theory.
Professor Guy also gave a general convocation presentation on Mathematics 4000 Years Ago, as well as a more technical lecture on the Unity of Combinatorics. He attended student presentations and had several conversations with students and faculty about summer research.
