Millions of people play solitaire (usual Klondike) every day. It is an embarrassment that mathematicians can’t answer the questions ‘what are the odds of winning?’, ‘What’s a good way of playing?’

Persi Diaconis

To answer these questions and more about the “Mathematics of Solitaire,” Persi Diaconis, the Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University, a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and numerous other awards, as well as a former professional magician, will keynote the second annual Elizabeth S. Meckes Memorial Lecture in Mathematics on Friday, April 5, at 12:45 p.m.

The lecture is open to everyone and will be held in Clapp Hall, room 108, and available via livestream. 

Diaconis will also give the Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics’ colloquium later that afternoon at 3:15 p.m. in Wickenden, room 321. 

Elizabeth Meckes

Learn more about the keynote presentation and how to attend.