ATHENS 2026 ‑ Polynomial Method (CTU05)

March 16-20, 2026

Lecturers: Robert Hancock and Jan Volec

Course starts: Mo 16.3. at 9:20

Location: Dejvice campus

Room: TBA

Covered topics: Graham-Pollak Theorem, Polynomial Method, Cap set, Combinatorial Nullstellensatz, Sensitivity Theorem.

References: Polynomial Methods in Combinatorics by Guth, Extremal Combinatorics (Part III The Linear Algebra Method) by Jukna.


Course schedule

DayPart 1 ‑ LecturePart 2 ‑ Exercises
Mo 16.3.9:30-12:30   Introduction, Basic applications of the Linear Algebra Method14:00-15:30
Tu 17.3.9:30-12:30   The Polynomial Method, the finite field Kakeya Problem14:00-15:30
We 18.3.9:30-12:30   The Slice Rank and a solution to the Capset ProblemN/A
Th 19.3.9:30-12:30   Combinatorial Nullstellensatz14:00-15:30
Fr 20.3.9:30-12:30   Sensitivity Theorem14:00-14:25   Q&A   14:30-15:30 Final Test

We 18.3. 15:15 – Excursion to Technical Museum (Kostelní 42, 170 00 Prague; see Google maps)

Fr 20.3. 17:00-19:00 – Farewell dinner at Rector's office (Jugoslavských partyzánů 3, 160 00 Prague; see Google maps)