Anyone for maths?
We are having a change of theme for our monthly meetings of the Maths group from October. Instead of tackling specific topics or problems we'll be considering things we know but which we'd be hard pressed to explain - to ourselves or anyone else. And until we can do that we are just applying recipes, not doing maths!
You become very aware of this as soon as you start trying to teach - your own children or grandchildren, or at all levels of school or university maths. We'll find that the key is often to go back to the meanings of whatever concepts we are trying to understand.
To give a simple example, why does this "rule" for multiplying fractions work:
"multiply the tops and multiply the bottoms" - E.g. 3/5 x 7/4 = (3 x 7)/(5 x 4) = 21/20, and what does it mean anyway to multiply two fractions? And why doesn't the corresponding rule work for addition?
If exploring this sort of issue appeals to you think about joining us. Your choice of topic can come from any level (provided some of us are capable of saying something sensible about it!)
Before all that we are having a single session in September on Einstein's theory of Special Relativity, in which I'm hoping to show that one of its principal results can be derived from very little fancy maths, and physics which isn't highly sophisticated.
We meet monthly, usually on the second Friday, except in August, at John Croxon's house in Hakin. Give me a call if this tempts you.
We’ve also delved into areas of mathematics often labelled “Higher”—topics not typically encountered in school—but there’s plenty of rich, surprising material even in primary-level maths.

If you’d like to learn more, suggest a topic, share a favourite puzzle, or simply join us, just give me a call. We'd love to welcome you to the group!