Mathematics can often seem abstract and irrelevant to our everyday lives. Yet behind many physical objects that we use on a daily basis, such as mobile phones, lies a good deal of high-powered mathematics.

Tomorrow (Thursday 26 September), Dr Robert Hunt will give a light-hearted tour around the usefulness of maths in the real world.

In light of the national drop in number of candidates studying maths at A Level, Dr Hunt will explain the significance of studying maths and the problems that may be encountered in the future by a lack of trained mathematicians, and consequently physicists, engineers, scientists and other maths-related professions.

Without the solutions to important mathematical problems which have been discovered over the last 50 years we wouldn't have many of the devices which we now take for granted in the modern world.

Dr Hunt encourages all to come along, including non-experts who want to find out more.

"The vitality of the British economy is dependent on the UK's scientific progress and discovery, and in turn science is dependent on maths. We mustn't allow the recent drops in numbers taking A-level maths to continue. Far from being an abtruse subject of importance only to accountants and actuaries, maths is relevant to every aspect of our modern lives, as I will explain - with some fun into the bargain, I hope!"

Dr Hunt has appeared on Radio 4’s ‘World at One’ amongst others and his talk will conclude with a challenge to find any aspect of life, the world or the Universe which is not intimately related to maths.

The talk will take place on Thursday 26 September from 5pm - 6pm at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Clarkson Road, Cambridge. Admission is free.


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