UG Colloquium
Topic: Exploring the Utility of Steiner Systems in Error-Free Messages
Speaker: Gabriel Ma
Date: Nov 7th, 2024
Abstract
Given the integers from 1 to n, can we arrange them into possibly overlapping blocks of size k such that any subset of size t is contained in exactly one block? This is a Steiner system, which have applications in several areas of study like combinatorics, sphere packing, group theory, and more. In my talk, we will introduce what Steiner systems are and mention some of its properties. Then we'll focus on the application of Steiner systems to the extended binary golay code, which was used by Voyager 1 to send pictures of Jupiter and Saturn during its flyby of those planets. Join me on a journey to unlock a very applicable tool of mathematics!
