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Maths Matters

February 25, 2003

From the maths of bell-ringing to the geometry of gothic windows, Maths Matters, the annual conference of the Mathematical Association, promises to be a memorable mathematical extravaganza.

The conference, which takes place at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in April, will be opened by TV presenter Johnny Ball, who will share something of his lifelong love of maths and offer thoughts on the way it is taught to and absorbed by the young.

"The double meaning in the title of this year's conference is intentional, we want to showcase some exciting and enjoyable maths; but we also want to reiterate our firm view of the unique contribution maths makes to society. In short, maths matters," said Barry Lewis, President of the Mathematical Association.

Simon Singh, UEA honorary graduate and best-selling author of The Code Book and Fermat's Last Theorem will bring the conference to a close with a talk about cryptography - from its birthplace in Ancient Rome right up to the present day and its use on the Internet. He will also demonstrate how codes and code-breaking can be used in the classroom.

Other highlights during the conference include:
- A polyhedra safari
- Women in mathematics
- A look at the Oriental strategy game of Go - the most challenging strategy game in the world
- Making maths lessons magic
- Mathematics and bell-ringing, including the opportunity to have a go with a set of hand bells
- Modular origami - making polyhedra from folded paper; and
- Are equations getting sexier? A look at the place of maths in recent films, plays and novels.

As well as the more light-hearted side of maths, the conference, hosted by the Norfolk Branch of the Mathematical Association, will address issues facing maths teachers in the classroom today, including best practice for OFSTED inspections and maths tests at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.

East Anglia, University of

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