Mathematical Conversations

Let $C$ be an algebraic curve over the rational numbers, that is, a 1-dimensional complex manifold that is defined by polynomial equations with rational coefficients. A celebrated result of Faltings implies that all algebraic points on $C$ come in families of bounded degree, with finitely many exceptions. These exceptions are known as isolated points. We explore how these isolated points behave in families of curves and deduce consequences for the arithmetic of elliptic curves. This talk is on joint work with A. Bourdon, Ö. Ejder, Y. Liu, and F. Odumodu.