853 Signing Off

Today marks the beginning of our final seven days in Budapest. We started the day with a math class based on more quadratic residues and the quadratic reciprocity law. Needless to say, a majority of it was right over our heads. 

During our extended lunch break, some people chose to begin working on the homework, while others were too hungry to wait any longer and started on the homework after eating. We had a colloquium after lunch, which was number theory centered. Mik Laczkovich was the speaker, and he discussed how recent years (i.e. 2016, 2017, 2018) have special properties in number theory such as being square numbers or the sum of 2, 3, or 4 square numbers.

Mik's got his own Wiki page, google him

After the colloquium, we had about an hour of free time before reconvening for a movie. The movie was called "Son of Saul" and it was a historical fiction based on life in Auschwitz concentration camp. After the movie, our tour guide from earlier in the trip, András, kindly answered questions we had relating to the movie and to Hungarian history during this time period. 

After the movie, we all went our separate ways for a late dinner. Some went to get kebabs, while others went to a Pad Thai restaurant that many people seem to enjoy. After getting back to the hotel from dinner, we resumed our homework struggle, which has continued late into the night. 

Death by homework

From extreme cribbage competitions to sauna sessions with Bruce to chimney cakes (and cones) to the rest of the wonders Budapest has to offer, we the 853 are humbled and honored to have been given the chance to keep you updated on our trip.

Happy last blog from us.

Love, 

your boys from the 853.

LATE ADDITION/EDIT BY PROFESSOR: Let me assure you - the students understand the material much better than they are letting on here.  Keep up the hard work, boys of 853 (and other men and women of Math 239)