A K3 surface is a 4-dimensional shape that appears in many areas of geometry and mathematical physics. I will define it and explore many of its amazing properties.

Given a (n x n)-matrix M over a commutative integral domain R, one can try to associate to it a diagonal matrix called the Smith Normal Form of M. This can be done when R is the ring of integers, or the polynomial ring F[x] over a field F, and various applications of the existence of the Smith Normal Form are discussed in matrix theory. Which commutative integral domains R have the property that every matrix with coefficients in R admits a Smith Normal form? This is a very old question, as for instance Wedderburn in 1915 already discussed the case where R is the ring of holomorphic functions. I will review all necessary concepts, and discuss several easily stated open problems in this circle of ideas.