The Infinite Quest (IAI Academy)

The Infinite Quest (IAI Academy)
From Zeno to Gödel, philosophers and mathematicians have grappled with the infinite. Prize-winning mathematician Professor Peter Cameron proposes that infinity itself may be an illusion.

Infinity has inspired wonder and terror throughout the history of mathematics. As the cutting edge of cosmology grapples with the question of whether the infinite exists in nature, mathematicians are continue build on work where there can be infinitely many infinities. In this course Professor Peter Cameron shows how an idea until recently considered unworkable is in fact central to modern scientific and mathematical thought.

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

- why mathematics cannot work without infinity

- why infinity may not exist in nature

- how infinity and the curvature of space are entangled

- why information may be the basis of reality

- the smallest infinity possible

- how to prove that infinities can have different sizes

- the continuum hypothesis of infinite sets

- why there is always a larger infinity.

As part of the course there are in-video quiz questions to consolidate your learning, suggested further readings to stimulate a deeper exploration of the topic, discussion boards to have your say and an end-of-course assessment set by Professor Cameron.

This course is eligible for official online verification.