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RESOURCES FOR NON-SPECIALISTS

The Mathsters - YouTube channel of short maths videos aimed at sixth formers interested in doing maths at university, and other interested adults. 

 

The maths of cream tea - mathematical proof that clotted cream is better than whipped cream! Note: the papers are reporting that this "research" was commissioned by a clotted cream company. However I was not paid by them, nor did I even receive any clotted cream - and I couldn't find any in Sheffield so I clotted my own in the rice cooker! Read the full story here. 

 

The maths of pizza 

 

The maths of doughnuts

 

The maths of mince pies

 

Higher-dimensional category theory: the architecture of mathematics (pdf) - an introduction to my field and my research as of November 2001. Written for non-specialists in any discipline (originally as part of a job application), it is very non-technical and includes various flights of fancy and copious analogies.  

 

Mathematics and lego: the untold story (pdf) - approximate text from a seminar I gave at Newnham College in November 2001, aimed at students and researchers of all levels and all disciplines.  This is not a formally presented document, and it doesn't include the slides, so some of it is a bit hard to imagine.  Also, a radio interview I did on the subject in December 2012, on BBC Radio 4's "More or less".

 

Mathematical morality - a talk I gave at the Cambridge University Society for the Philosophy of Mathematics, and in a modified version later at the University of Chicago

 

Is mathematics easy? 

 

Are lectures a waste of time?

 

Build your own 5-associahedron!

 

Make your own Eckmann-Hilton clock!

 

How to write proofs: a quick guide

 

How I do my multiplication tables (hint: I never memorised them)

 

 

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