Disappearing Numbers…
Srinavasa Ramanujan. The name doesn’t really trip off the tongue and, for many, will mean nothing. That’s a shame, because this modest Indian man, born into poverty in 1887, is a giant of mathematics.
Read the whole postGoogle Doodle celebrates Pi Day – mathematicians rejoice
Our Google overlords yesterday recognised a day of significance to every fan of that most famous of irrational numbers – pi. Pi (as any fule kno) describes the relationship between a circle’s radius and its circumference or area, or between a sphere’s radius and its surface area or volume. If you’re wondering why yesterday could [...]
Read the whole post9 ways to make a day special
Today is the 10th of September 2009. 10/09/09 (or 09/10/09 if you’re American). Today is a very special day. But that doesn’t mean that other days might not be special, too… Here’s a 9-point mathematical, scientific, and cultural guide to make any day special: Find an historic event that occurred on the date, and commemorate [...]
Read the whole postEyeing up Maths Answers
Humans were not born to do maths. Those, like me, who don’t dream in numbers, think this is stating the obvious, but it’s worth remembering, even so. The human brain that lets us add, subtract, read, write, walk and chew gum (sometimes at the same time!) evolved from a brain that had different demands imposed [...]
Read the whole postHow not to teach counting
We’re no strangers to the perils of publishing. Maths-Whizz stands on the quality and accuracy of its maths exercises. When errors crop up (and, with over 2400 animated and exam-style exercises, they do) we do our best to correct them, and improve our service and software in the process. This is all par for the [...]
Read the whole postMaths for Bankers – Johnny Ball explains
A quick Monday maths refresher from Johnny Ball as he explains to the viewers of BBC news how to talk about, and write, large numbers. Followers of the banking and economic crises will now be well-acquainted with the kind of eye-wateringly large sums of money being lost, earned or moved around in the US and [...]
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