About this episode

Brendon Lasell explores the nature and power of numbers through the lens of Diophantus's work in his lecture.

Recording of a lecture delivered on February 13, 2026, by Annapolis tutor Brendon Lasell, as the 2026-26 NEH lecture. Mr. Lasell offers the following description of his lecture: "Diophantus begins his Arithmetica by saying that he has 'tried to establish the nature and power of numbers.' After a short general introduction, he goes on to pose and solve hundreds of difficult problems about numbers. We will explore whether numbers have a nature and how it can be established, looking at examples of the kind of work Diophantus does with numbers."

People in this episode

Guest: Brendon Lasell

Topics covered

• nature of numbers
• Diophantus
• mathematical problems
• Arithmetica
• philosophy of mathematics

Keywords

• numbers
• Diophantus
• Arithmetica
• mathematics
• lecture
• NEH

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Arithmetica

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