Brendan Hassett - Rationality Criteria for Hypersurfaces

Abstract: An algebraic variety is rational if it admits a birational parametrization by affine space. Stereographic projections of spheres are examples. We still do not know which cubic hypersurfaces are rational! We survey recent results - using classical geometry, Hodge theory, and newer techniques like derived categories - as well as natural open questions.
Details about TMS Distinguished Colloquium Series: tmd.org.tr/tms...