Exploring mathematics: a powerful tool - for iPod/iPhone
26 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 15 years ago - ★★★ - 4 ratingsHow can mathematics help us to understand the world around us? The tracks on this album take us to Antarctica, Hong Kong and New Zealand to find out how mathematicians work with scientists and biologists to create mathematical models, and how collaborations like these can help decipher and predict a range of natural phenomena. We learn how the 17th Century saw the birth of one of the most important mathematical tools - calculus, and modern mathematicians examine the contribution of its three inventors - Fermat, Newton and Leibniz. This material forms part of The Open University course MS221 Exploring mathematics.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Mathematics: a powerful tool
July 15, 2009 00:56 - 56 seconds - 885 KBAn introduction to the tracks on this album.
Transcript -- Mathematics: a powerful tool
July 15, 2009 00:56 - 19.2 KB application/pdfTranscript -- An introduction to the tracks on this album.
Mathematical modelling for real
July 15, 2009 00:55 - 1 minute - 10.4 MB VideoAn introduction to mathematical modelling in the real world.
Transcript -- Mathematical modelling for real
July 15, 2009 00:55 - 20.2 KB application/pdfTranscript -- An introduction to mathematical modelling in the real world.
An ancient tradition
July 15, 2009 00:54 - 5 minutes - 27.7 MB VideoHow bamboo scaffolding does its job.
Transcript -- An ancient tradition
July 15, 2009 00:54 - 25.7 KB application/pdfTranscript -- How bamboo scaffolding does its job.
How maths helps dolphins
July 15, 2009 00:53 - 5 minutes - 25.5 MB VideoUsing statistical modelling to calculate endangered species’ survival rates.
Transcript -- How maths helps dolphins
July 15, 2009 00:53 - 26.5 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Using statistical modelling to calculate endangered species’ survival rates.
Predicting climate change
July 15, 2009 00:52 - 4 minutes - 24.3 MB VideoWhy elaborate mathematical modelling is needed to predict ice break-up in Antarctica.
Transcript -- Predicting climate change
July 15, 2009 00:52 - 25.7 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Why elaborate mathematical modelling is needed to predict ice break-up in Antarctica.
A vibrating lake
July 15, 2009 00:51 - 5 minutes - 28.4 MB VideoUsing mathematical modeling to understand the fluctuations in the surface levels of Lake Wakatipu.
Transcript -- A vibrating lake
July 15, 2009 00:51 - 26.3 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Using mathematical modeling to understand the fluctuations in the surface levels of Lake Wakatipu.
Why is maths useful?
July 15, 2009 00:50 - 1 minute - 5.65 MB VideoHow the behaviour of the world around us can be understood better through mathematics.
Transcript -- Why is maths useful?
July 15, 2009 00:50 - 19.7 KB application/pdfTranscript -- How the behaviour of the world around us can be understood better through mathematics.
Who invented Calculus?
July 15, 2009 00:49 - 2 minutes - 15.5 MB VideoThe birth of calculus resulted in controversy: who got there first?
Transcript -- Who invented Calculus?
July 15, 2009 00:49 - 24.1 KB application/pdfTranscript -- The birth of calculus resulted in controversy: who got there first?
Fermat’s ideas
July 15, 2009 00:48 - 4 minutes - 21.8 MB VideoAn explanation of some of Fermat’s discoveries.
Transcript -- Fermat’s ideas
July 15, 2009 00:48 - 25.4 KB application/pdfTranscript -- An explanation of some of Fermat’s discoveries.
Fermat and John Wallis
July 15, 2009 00:47 - 1 minute - 7.19 MB VideoHow Fermat communicated his findings to Wallis.
Transcript -- Fermat and John Wallis
July 15, 2009 00:47 - 83.9 KB application/pdfTranscript -- How Fermat communicated his findings to Wallis.
Isaac Newton’s input
July 15, 2009 00:46 - 5 minutes - 27.3 MB VideoNewton invents the binomial theorem and publishes his great work Principia Mathematica.
Transcript -- Isaac Newton’s input
July 15, 2009 00:46 - 27.8 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Newton invents the binomial theorem and publishes his great work Principia Mathematica.
New insights emerge
July 15, 2009 00:45 - 7 minutes - 38.2 MB VideoLeibniz and the physicist Huygens work together.
Transcript -- New insights emerge
July 15, 2009 00:45 - 27.7 KB application/pdfTranscript -- Leibniz and the physicist Huygens work together.
The Newton-Leibniz dispute
July 15, 2009 00:44 - 3 minutes - 17.5 MB VideoHow the birth of calculus was a truly international effort.
Transcript -- The Newton-Leibniz dispute
July 15, 2009 00:44 - 25.3 KB application/pdfTranscript -- How the birth of calculus was a truly international effort.