Math-in-movies event to highlight creative side of mathematics

"Avatar," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Jurassic World," "The Avengers," and "Furious 7" are the top five highest grossing films of the 21st century. Aside from their box office successes, what do these movies all have in common? The answer is math.

On October 5, Michael Dorff, professor of mathematics at Brigham Young University, will discuss how math is being utilized to create more realistic and higher quality films. Dorff will discuss specific movies and the math behind them, including Disney and Pixar's "Frozen" and "The Incredibles."

"How Mathematics is Making Hollywood Movies Better" will take place from 6-7 p.m. in room 101 in the Loutit Lecture Halls.

Karen Novotny, professor of mathematics and department chair, said this event will help squash the "terrible public image" attached to the field of math.

"Most people think that math is a dull, dry, static subject that's all about formulas and computation," said Novotny. "I want people to appreciate mathematics for what it really is — a creative, intellectual human endeavor that impacts our culture in a wide variety of ways, and brings about significant changes to our world."

Preceding Dorff's evening presentation will be a student seminar from 3-4 p.m. in Mackinac Hall, room A-2-610 (Mathematics Peer Collaboration Center). During this seminar, Dorff will discuss the wide variety of careers paths students can take after graduating.

"Most people don't have any idea what you can do with a mathematics degree, but this seminar will reveal the exciting opportunities awaiting students in business, industry and government," said Novotny. "We'll showcase what math students need to do to get one of these important and exciting jobs."

For more information about these two events, contact the Mathematics Department at (616) 331-2040.