A conversation about mathematics inspired by a thermometer. Presented by Katie Steckles and Peter Rowlett.
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Mathematical Objects: Thermometer
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- Sir Peter Donnelly, Chief Executive, Genomics plc and Professor of Statistical Science, University of Oxford. Knighted for services to the Understanding of Human Genetics in Disease.
- Ken Brown, Professor of Mathematics, University of Glasgow. Appointed CBE for services to the Mathematical Sciences.
- Sylvia Richardson, Director, Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge. Appointed CBE for services to Medical Statistics.
- Max Parmar, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology and Director, MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London. Appointed OBE for services to Medical Research and Clinical Trials.
- Arnold Black, Historian and Statistician, Scottish Athletics. Appointed MBE for services to Athletics.
- Elizabeth Buttigieg, Executive Officer, UK Statistics Authority. Appointed MBE services to Pensioners, Veterans and the community in Newport, Wales.
- Duncan Lawson, Co-Director sigma, Coventry University. Appointed MBE for services to Mathematics in Higher Education.
- Peter Ransom. Appointed MBE for voluntary service to Mathematics Education.
- Lauren Shea. Awarded BEM for services to Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to Young People.
- Jess Wade, Research Physicist, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London. Awarded BEM for services to Gender Diversity in Science.
Hedetniemi’s Conjecture in graph theory disproved
In Quanta Erica Klarreich recently wrote up Yaroslav Shitov’s new counter example which disproves Stephen Hedetniemi’s 50 year old conjecture, original dissertation, that the number of colors required to color the tensor product of two graphs is the lesser of the numbers used to color the original graphs. These colorings have applications in areas from scheduling to seating plans, and it is clear from Klarreich’s reporting that mathematicians are excited about this result. In fact, Hedetniemi responded very positively when asked by Klarreich about the counter example, saying it “has a certain elegance, simplicity and definitive quality to it.” The counter-example may show Hedetniemi’s conjecture is not true, but Klarreich points out that we do not yet know just how false it is. So, while Shitov has closed one door on this problem, there are still many which are open.
Maths World UK has almost reached its funding target
The UK’s nascent maths exploratorium, Maths World UK, has secured match funding for any donations made towards setting up the museum, to the tune of £125,000 – this means if they can raise that amount of money, a donor will double it. They’re now within £20,000 of the target, and need your donations to close the gap.
The project has been in development for a few years now, but until they have enough funding they won’t be able to set up a permanent centre. If a museum of mathematics in the UK is something you’d like to see, you can use the links below to donate, or find out more about the project.
Donation Page at GoldenGiving
MWUK website
YouTube video with James Grime and Maths World UK CEO Katie Chicot:
Mathematical Objects: Noughts and Crosses (Tic Tac Toe) board
A conversation about mathematics inspired by a Noughts and Crosses (Tic Tac Toe) board, covering Noughts and Crosses, a surprising number of variants, with a bit of higher dimensions and topology for good measure. Presented by Katie Steckles and Peter Rowlett.
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Particularly mathematical Birthday Honours 2019
With the announcement the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, it’s time for the latest in our ongoing Honours-watch series of posts. In this, we search arbitrarily for a few maths-related terms in the list, and hope our well-informed readers fill in the blanks where actual knowledge is required.
Are there any others we’ve missed? Please add any of interest in the comments below. A full list may be obtained from the UK Government website.
Creating the universe: an interactive mathematical art project
‘Creating the universe‘ is an “interactive mathematical art project” by Kathrin Glau taking place at Tate Modern London from 11-16 June 2019. Its website explains:
With top and felt we explore a conceptual world that normally is layed out in its own symbolic language. This is an artistic study of the foundations of mathematics. To do so, we create the nested sets building the mathematical universe itself.
Kathrin Glau
A page on the website offers more detail about the exhibition. It is part of a wider Queen Mary University programme of activity at the Tate, with free entry.
Mathematical Objects: Tangerine
A conversation about mathematics inspired by a tangerine (no, really!). Presented by Katie Steckles and Peter Rowlett.
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