Free activities and events in New York City

Lecture “Randomness in Number Theory”

Published: January 31, 2026; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa

Registration for this lecture will close at 2 p.m. the day of the event. Review the complete list of entrance requirements below.

This lecture is part of the Randomness Presidential Lecture Series in Mathematics and Computer Science.

In this Presidential Lecture, Peter Sarnak will highlight the apparent dichotomy between structure and randomness in number theory through a series of examples. He will show how models for randomness can be both unexpected and revealing and why identifying and establishing random features is often the central challenge in the field.

Sarnak is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University and the Gopal Prasad Professor of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study. A leading figure in analytic number theory, his work explores deep connections between number theory, randomness and mathematical physics. Sarnak has played a central role in advancing the study of L-functions, arithmetical quantum chaos and random matrix theory. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of numerous honors, including the Wolf Prize in Mathematics, the Sylvester Medal of the Royal Society and the 2024 Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences.

Registration Requirements:

• You must be 18+ to attend this event
• Registration will close at 2:00 p.m. the day of the event
• Please only register yourself and use your complete first and last name as it appears on your photo ID when filling in the form.
• Tickets under the same name do not count as registrations for others and each ticket must be registered under an individual attendee’s name. If you have a guest you would like to bring with you to this event, please send them the link to register so they can sign up on their own.

Please note that the Simons Foundation will never ask for credit card information or require payment for registration to our free public events.

Building Entry Protocol:

• Provide valid photo ID
• Present your digital or printed Eventbrite ticket confirmation; make sure it is for the correct event and that the name on it matches your ID.
• Limited seating is available for this in-person event and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All attendees must be pre-registered. Walk-in entry will be denied.

Please note that by entering the Simons Foundation, you are attesting that you are not experiencing COVID symptoms and are not knowingly positive for COVID.

Schedule

Doors open: 5:30 p.m. (No entrance before 5:30 p.m.)

Lecture: 6:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m. (Admittance closes at 6:20 p.m.)

The Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers accessible seating to visitors with special access needs.

Presidential Lectures are free public colloquia at the Simons Foundation centered on four main themes: Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Neuroscience and Autism Science. These curated, high-level scientific talks feature leading scientists and mathematicians and are intended to foster discourse and drive discovery among the broader NYC-area research community. We invite anyone interested in the topic to join us for this weekly lecture series.

Free!

Registration

Detailed information and discussion of the event.