Maths Circle Lectures: 2012 Series

Supported by the Royal Institution and the Further Maths Network

Open to all students studying ‘A’ level Mathematics
Mondays at 4pm
in the Wilson’s School Lecture Theatre
Refreshments from 3.30pm in F1, in the Foundation Building

Click on the images to download full size printable posters

5 March
Solving Quadratic Equations: how hard can it be?
Prof. Kevin Buzzard, Imperial College, London
There's a formula for solving quadratic equations. But if we start tweaking the problem a little, for example using two variables instead of one, or only allowing rational numbers as solutions, then things may become a little trickier. There are some simple-looking problems about polynomials of degree 2 which have generated some deep and interesting modern mathematics.

12 March
MRSA and Heartbreak: Mathematics in Medicine
Gwenan Knight and Dr Kevin Lau, CoMPLEX, University College, London
On using computer modelling to investigate the effects of MRSA and the mechanisms of the heart.

19 March
Primes and Polygons
Dr John Silvester, KIngs College, London
The game of constructing geometrical figures with ruler and compasses was invented by the ancient Greeks. Most people know how to construct an equilateral triangle, or a square; it is harder (but possible) to construct a regular pentagon, and impossible to construct a regular heptagon. What is going on here? There is an unexpected connection between the values of n for which a regular n-gon can be constructed, and the prime factors of n. It has to do with the Fermat primes, numbers of the form 2^m + 1, where as far as we know m must be 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16. Fermat thought m could be any power of 2, but Euler showed he was wrong.

28 March
Maths in Magic and Medical Computing
Dr Paul Curzon, Queen Mary, University of London
This talk is also a magic show where we teach you how the tricks work and then use them to explain some of the maths and science behind our research making medical devices safer to use. In a magic show the magician tries to make everyone make the same mistake at the same time. Designers of technology have to understand and apply similar techniques if they are to prevent mistakes being made. If nurses can easily make mistakes using medical devices then patients can be harmed instead of cured. It is the designer's job to prevent that.

For more details contact Dr Neill Cooper: 020 8773 2931 ext 162 or email
nsc@wilsonsschool.sutton.sch.uk