A-level Mathematics students attended a fantastic ‘maths inspiration’ show at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Friday 5 December. Students were treated to a really interesting show starting with MC Matt Parker, who is a stand-up mathematician. He has a PhD in mathematics and now takes fun in inspiring people in maths all around the country.
The first act of the day was Dr Hannah Fry,
who is an expert on complexity, her talk was entitled ‘The Hidden Connections’. She discussed with students about how the hidden connections
between us can be used to understand the mathematics of friendships and even to
catch criminals.
The second talk was by Professor David Acheson and it was
entitled ‘Desert Island Maths’. David is
a Cambridge maths professor and his entertaining talk was all about the eight
objects that he would take to a desert island to remind him of mathematics at
its best.
The third and final talk was by TV engineering star Hugh
Hunt, who explained the mysterious maths of spinning things including balls,
bombs and boomerangs. He showed part of
his documentary about Dambuster bombs, he examined Frank Lampard’s famous
disallowed goal, and explained how a cat lands on its feet. He even threw some boomerangs!
Students then had some time to visit Birmingham’s famous
Christmas markets before heading back to the College.
