Title: A Simple Arithmetic for Fractions with Applications to Classical Physics, Geometric Modeling, and Computer Graphics

Date: Monday, 7 May 2001

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Venue: Lecture Theater F (Leung Yat Sing Lecture Theater), Academic Concourse (near lift nos. 25/26), HKUST

Abstract:
The Greek philosopher Plato once said that: `there still remain three studies suitable for a free man. Arithmetic is one of them.' Following Plato's advice, we return in this talk to the study of arithmetic, a topic that is certainly at the heart of computation and therefore of vital interest to Computer Science. We shall develop a simple, but powerful, new arithmetic for fractions, and then apply this novel arithmetic to the study of Classical Physics, Geometric Modeling, and Computer Graphics.

Biography:
Ron Goldman is a Professor of Computer Science at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Professor Goldman received his B.S. in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968 and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University in 1973.

Dr. Goldman's current research interests lie in the mathematical representation, manipulation, and analysis of shape using computers. He is particularly interested in algorithms for polynomial and piecewise polynomial curves and surfaces, and he has investigated both parametrically and implicitly represented geometry. His work includes research in computer aided geometric design, solid modeling, computer graphics, and splines.

Before returning to academia, Dr. Goldman worked for ten years in industry solving problems in computer graphics, geometric modeling, and computer aided design. He served as a Mathematician at Manufacturing Data Systems Inc., where he helped to implement one of the first industrial solid modeling systems. Later he worked as a Senior Design Engineer at Ford Motor Company, enhancing the capabilities of their corporate graphics and computer aided design software. From Ford he moved on to Control Data Corporation, where he was a Principal Consultant for the development group devoted to computer aided design and manufacture. His responsibilities included data base design, algorithms, education, acquisitions, and research.

Dr. Goldman left Control Data Corporation in 1987 to become an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He joined the faculty at Rice University in Houston, Texas as a Professor of Computer Science in July 1990.