What is the Chebotarev density theorem?

Speaker: Tom Weston  (Umass)

Abstract: In number theory it is often desirable to be able to prove the existence of prime numbers with specific properties, sometimes because it's useful in some larger argument, and sometimes just because prime numbers are fun and interesting.  The Chebotarev density theorem is an extremely powerful tool for precisely this task: it allows one to specify elaborate properties of prime numbers via Galois theory.  In this talk we will discuss Chebotarev's theorem and its applications; we will not assume any Galois theory to do this.