Mathematical formulas and numbers: from ‘A Beautiful Mind’ to San Mamés

Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton tried to measure as accurately as possible how the stones fell off the Tower of Pisa, and how apples fell from trees, even though neither of them actually had any interest in stones and apples. They did this because they were interested in the data that they could garner from those stones and apples to help them test physical theories. In the same way, the data that can be obtained from a football field is very useful for economic research. Economists are gradually using more and more theories of human behaviour like those of John F. Nash (whose life inspired the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’) or the theories of efficient markets in financial economy, discrimination at work and the behaviour of the human brain.

Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, Professor of Economy at the London School of Economics, and researcherof the Ikerbasque Foundation at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, will explain these theories at a talk, followed by a discussion, called ‘Mathematical formulas and numbers: from “A Beautiful Mind” to San Mamés’. This conference will take place on 19 May at 7 pm at Azkuna Zentroa.

Zientziateka is a monthly initiative organised by the Chair of Scientific Culture of the UPV/EHU and Azkuna Zentroa to raise awareness of current scientific matters.

Tickets should be collected from the Azkuna Zentroa Information Point. Free entry will be subject to available seating. The talk will be in Spanish.