Reflexive Loops: What's 12 got to do with it?

In this talk I will discuss an elementary fact about certain polygonal paths in the plane (the reflexive loops of the title). The statement should be understandable to any high-school student but its proof will lead us to quite interesting mathematics: toric varieties, braids, and the universal cover of SL_2(\R).

*Dr. Villegas is a candidate for a position in our department. All faculty are urged to attend this lecture.

Refreshments will be served in Math Annex Room 1115, 3:15 p.m.