MATHS CHALLENGE

Students at Wales High

Students at Wales High School regularly win

awards whilst competing regionally and

nationally in various individual and Team Maths

and Senior Maths Challenges run by both the

United Kingdom Mathematics Trust and

Sheffield Hallam University.

Maths Inspiration Talk – “In November 2015 a group of around 30 Maths students from

Years 11, 12 and 13 went to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to watch a Maths inspiration

talk. I don't think anyone really knew what to expect, probably some Maths genius

rambling on about hard maths. However what we got was much more interesting. The

host fancied himself as a bit of a comedian which actually made it quite entertaining. His

talk was about shapes and dimensions which he started by trying to impress us by solving

a Rubik's cube and getting a member of the audience to time him but before the timer

had even started David next to me had already gotten his two Rubik's cubes out of each

pocket and waited anxiously to see if he'd beat his quickest time (which he didn't). For

me the most interesting part of the talk was by a mathematician and author who

explained to us some of the more everyday uses of maths e.g to predict random numbers

and how we can find order in chaos. My particular favourite part was when she told us

about some work she did with the police using Maths to help catch a serial killer. Finally

special guest, motorcyclist Guy Martin, and a Cambridge engineering professor gave a

talk on how Maths and Physics are crucial in some motor vehicle stunts like to find the

speed you would need to go to do a loop the loop in a car safely. Guy is wanting to do a

world record attempt going over 50mph on the wall of death but he needed the

professor's help to understand the theory behind it. Despite the complexity, they made it

easy to understand the basics and gist of what they were talking about. It was a nice

opportunity to see some Maths in practice and unusual Maths that you wouldn't really

see in the classroom and I can imagine has made some people think about a career in

Maths. It certainly inspired me!”

Genevieve Justice 13.09

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES: MATHEMATICS