Mathematicians Enjoy Mind-Broadening Afternoon Of Lectures

On Thursday 9^th March, forty talented mathematicians from the 5^th Form and 6^th Form attended the prestigious Maths Inspiration lectures at the Bath Forum.

The lectures were interesting, exciting and demonstrated where some aspects of school mathematics are being used today in some very practical and exciting areas of life. A total of 900 pupils from the South West attended these lectures and an all-star cast hosted us with three out of the four lecturers also being TV and radio personalities. All the lecturers also worked within industry or for the Government as well as lecturing at Oxbridge.

Our opening lecture (Yeah, But Is it Significant?) took us on a guided tour of the statistical maths used to set-up clinical trials that allowed new drugs or treatments to be licensed into the marketplace. We looked at a fascinating example of a new ebola drug and how it was determined to be effective using hypothesis testing and statistical analysis. We were talked through the theory behind turning ‘noisy data’ into ‘underlying probability’ including discussing the link between ‘uncertainty’ and ‘sample size’. Luckily Jinjin (U6^th Form) was on hand to help out on stage with the experiments to illustrate the key points.

We were then treated to a lecture showing us how mathematical equations can be used to provide the link between architecture and engineering, thus enabling the build of some of our most iconic landmarks (Bath Abbey, The Millennium Dome, Wembley Stadium and Arsenal Stadium). An initial look at starling flocks swarming together then developed into how this can be modelled mathematically on a computer. The point was then quickly developed that these ‘swam simulations’ can be used to find ‘local optimums’ in terms of appropriate weight /cost comparisons for different structures. We were then shown how the use of genetic pools and DNA splicing could be used in two parent vectors to produce the best possible off-spring vector to find the lowest possible cost for a given construction. Kitty (L6^th Form) was selected to participate in a ‘breeding demonstration’ to support this engineering practice. The concepts we heard about in this lecture were beautiful examples of how mathematicians look to nature to find the best solution to problems.

Finally we visually feasted on a presentation where we were shown some incredibly impressive juggling. We examined the different forms of juggling and how you can assign numbers to, and find patterns within, the different techniques for different numbers of balls. The question was posed; ‘Is it random, weird, or is there a pattern?’. We were encouraged not to decide that we understand a pattern until we have looked closely. The lecture developed into a demonstration of how ‘Choice Theorem’ currently taught in the 6^th Form, also based on patterns, is today being used in safety critical analysis. The enlightening conclusion was that Maths and patterns allow us to make predictions about things we know nothing about, but are also important.

All of us found the trip to be a mind-broadening afternoon and a privilege to hear such a wealth of thought-provoking presentations.

Mel Bowes Lyon - Maths Teacher