Explore the fascinating world of mathematical errors and their real-world consequences in this engaging lecture by stand-up comedian and mathematician Matt Parker. Discover how seemingly minor miscalculations can lead to catastrophic failures in engineering and everyday life. Learn about historical blunders, from bridge collapses to plane crashes, caused by overlooked mathematical details. Delve into probability, statistics, and the unexpected ways numbers can deceive us. Gain insights into the importance of mathematical precision and the potential pitfalls of relying on flawed calculations. Through entertaining anecdotes and examples, understand the critical role mathematics plays in our daily lives and the sometimes humorous, sometimes disastrous results when it goes awry.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
Inspirational posters
Mechanical age
Sesame Street
Texas License Plates
Bridge Feedback
What happens when maths goes wrong
Bridge design
Meet Mario
Heads or Tails
Grind Dice
Probability
Spin the wheel
Edges
Taught by
The Royal Institution
