Apr 19, 2005 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College will host an entertaining and educational evening with Professor Joe Gallian of the University of Minnesota, Duluth, when he presents, "Breaking Driver's License Codes," on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in Galileo Hall. The lecture if free and open to the public.

Many states use complicated algorithms or formulas to assign driver's license numbers but keep the method confidential. Just for the fun of it, Gallian attempted to figure out how the states code their license numbers. In this talk he will discuss how he was able to break the codes for several of the states. The talk illustrates an important problem-solving technique that is not emphasized in mathematics classes. It also demonstrates that sometimes things done just for the sake of curiosity can have applications.

Gallian is a nationally recognized mathematician and expositor, known for his humorous and engaging lectures. Gallian received his Ph.D. from Notre Dame in 1971 and has been at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, since 1972. He is the author of one of the most popular undergraduate texts for abstract algebra: "Contemporary Abstract Algebra" (6th edition) and coauthor of the liberal arts math text "For All Practical Purposes." His research interests include groups, graphs and combinatorics.

Gallian has directed summer research programs for undergraduate students since 1977 and given invited lectures at over 150 colleges and universities. He has received teaching awards from the Mathematics Association of America and the University of Minnesota. Besides the usual math courses, he annually offers a humanities course, "The Lives and Music of the Beatles."