Benjamin Vakil
Stuff I've Done
Papers
The Number of Solvabilizers in Finite Groups (Joint with B. Akbari, E. Han, and S. Lin) https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.11544 (pre-print).
Presentations
Commutative Algebra and the Nullstellenzatz (UConn Math's Directed Reading Program)
Unique Factorization: The Integers and Beyond (Gunn Math Circle)
A Tale of Elliptic Curves and Finite Fields (UConn Math's Directed Reading Program)
A Computational Routine for the Size of |Solv(G)| (Tufts VERSIEM-REU)
Miscellaneous Writing
PAUSD and Math: Student Voice Matters (Joint with E. Furtado-Tiwari and A. Lee, open letter)
Letter to the Editor: Where are the students’ voices? (Joint with E. Furtado-Tiwari, Palo Alto Weekly)
Should Gunn Have More Math Pathways? (The Chariot)
Balancing Ideology and Pedagogy (The Chariot)
In Media
Students speak out on math issues at Palo Alto school board meeting (Midpenisula Post, Palo Alto Weekly)
400 sign petition to bring back multivariable calculus (Palo Alto Daily Post)
‘The math wars have casualties’: Conflicts over math permeate district, fuel debates over equity, accessibility (Gunn Oracle)
In the Pursuit of Wellness: The Oracle investigates efficacy of SELF (Gunn Oracle)
Proficiencies
English (Native, US & Canadian Dual Citizenship)
Python
Sage
GAP (Groups Algorithms Programming)
Lean (Beginner)
Selected Courses
Fall 2024
MATH 2710: Transition to Advanced Mathematics (course credit by exam)
MATH 3230: Abstract Algebra I
MATH 3240: Introduction to Number Theory
HIST 2811: Early Modern India
Spring 2025
MATH 3231: Abstract Algebra II
MATH 3250: Combinatorics
HIST 3361: The High and Later Middle Ages
​MATH 5121: Topics in Complex Function Theory (Analytic Number Theory)
Fall 2025 (in progress)
HIST 2401W: Europe in the Nineteenth Century
​MATH 5110: Introduction to Modern Analysis
MATH 5230: Algebraic Number Theory
MATH 3370: Differential Geometry
Spring 2026 (upcoming)
MATH 5111: Measure and Integration
​MATH 5020: Topics in Algebra (Commutative Algebra)
MATH 5230: Algebraic Number Theory
HIST 3502: Colonial America: Native Americans, Slaves, and Settlers, 1492-1760