Which Cubic 3-Folds Are Rational? - A Survey of Complex and Real Cases

Explore a mathematical lecture examining the rationality of cubic 3-folds, where Professor Ivan Cheltsov from the University of Edinburgh delves into the fascinating theorem of Clemens and Griffiths proving that smooth cubic 3-folds are irrational. Learn about the contrasting nature of singular complex cubic 3-folds, which are predominantly rational except for cones over smooth cubic curves. Discover the current understanding of rationality in singular real cubic 3-folds, including both rational and irrational cases, through collaborative research conducted with Yuri Tschinkel and Zhijia Zhang from New York.