Pilar Bayer facts for kids
Pilar Bayer Isant (born in 1946) is a famous Spanish mathematician. She is known for her work in number theory, which is a branch of mathematics that studies numbers and their properties. Pilar used to be a professor at the University of Barcelona and is now a professor emerita, meaning she has retired but still holds an honorary title.
Contents
Early Life and Studies
Pilar Bayer was born in Barcelona, Spain, on February 13, 1946. Before she became a mathematician, she was a talented musician. In 1967, she became a certified piano teacher from the Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona.
She then went on to study mathematics at the University of Barcelona. She earned her first degree in 1968. Later, in 1975, she completed her Ph.D. there. A Ph.D. is the highest university degree you can get. Her research was about advanced number theory. Pilar was one of the very first women to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Barcelona.
Her Career Journey
After finishing her studies, Pilar Bayer worked as an assistant at Universität Regensburg in Germany from 1977 to 1980. She also worked briefly at the University of Santander and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
In 1982, she joined the faculty at the University of Barcelona. She taught and researched there for many years. Pilar Bayer retired from her teaching role in 2016.
What Pilar Bayer Studied
Pilar Bayer is well-known for her deep studies in number theory. She has written many important papers and books.
Books and Research Topics
With Montserrat Alsina, Pilar wrote a book called Quaternion Orders, Quadratic Forms, and Shimura Curves. This book is about complex mathematical ideas.
Her research explores many interesting topics in mathematics, including:
- Quaternion algebras: These are special kinds of numbers that extend complex numbers.
- Quadratic forms: These are mathematical expressions that involve variables raised to the power of two.
- Shimura curves: These are special curves used in advanced number theory.
- Automorphic forms: These are complex functions with special symmetry properties.
- Diophantine equations: These are equations where you only look for whole number solutions.
- Elliptic curves: These are curves defined by certain equations, important in cryptography.
- Zeta functions: These are special mathematical functions used in number theory.
Pilar also has a strong interest in the history of mathematics. She co-authored a book called Arrels germàniques de la matemàtica contemporània (German Roots of Contemporary Mathematics). This book looks at the history of mathematics in Germany from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. In total, she has written or edited 19 books!
Awards and Honors
Pilar Bayer has received many awards for her important work in mathematics.
- In 1998, she won the Narcís Monturiol Medal from the Generalitat de Catalunya. This medal honors people who have made great contributions to science and technology in Catalonia, Spain.
- Her book, Arrels germàniques de la matemàtica contemporània, won the Serra d'Or Critic's Prize in 2013.
She has also been recognized by several important academic groups:
- In 2004, she was an Emmy Noether Visiting Professor at the University of Göttingen in Germany.
- She is a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences.
- She is also a member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors, the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona, and the Institute for Catalan Studies. Being an "academician" means she is a highly respected expert in her field.
To celebrate her 70th birthday, the University of Barcelona published a special two-volume collection of her best works in 2016.
See also
In Spanish: Pilar Bayer Isant para niños
