The Hidden Secrets of Math: Beauty and Power (Part 1)
Sep 20, 2024
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Kyne Santos, a vibrant mathematics communicator and drag queen, joins forces with Tom Crawford, a pollution-predicting mathematician, and philosopher Mark Jago for a colorful exploration of math. They journey through ancient Greece to reveal the elegance of Eratosthenes' calculations and how math helps tackle pollution. The trio also discusses the fascinating tie between relativity and GPS technology. With a mix of humor and insight, they showcase math's beauty and practicality, making it accessible to everyone!
Math is perceived as beautiful and elegant, blending art with problem-solving, much like ballet, enhancing appreciation for complex concepts.
The practical application of mathematics in environmental studies, such as predicting pollution movement, demonstrates its vital role in addressing real-world challenges.
Deep dives
The Beauty of Mathematics
Many mathematicians perceive math as inherently beautiful, often seeking elegant solutions to problems rather than merely arriving at the correct answers. This pursuit of elegance mirrors the disciplines of art and ballet, highlighting that math is not just about calculations but also about appreciation for sophisticated approaches to problem-solving. For instance, Tom Crawford's mathematical perspective, even while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, illustrates how patterns and numbers can provide deeper insights into the natural world. Understanding the elegance behind mathematical formulas can transform the way one perceives math, revealing its artistic and aesthetic dimensions.
Eratosthenes and the Earth's Circumference
The podcast discusses the remarkable achievements of Eratosthenes, an ancient Greek mathematician who calculated the Earth's circumference using simple yet clever observations. By measuring the angle of a shadow cast by a pole in Alexandria at noon on the summer solstice, he deduced the curvature of the Earth based on sunlight's path. His method involved measuring the distance between Alexandria and the city of Syene, ultimately yielding an impressively accurate estimate of the Earth's circumference, which is only slightly off from modern measurements. This historical accomplishment exemplifies how mathematical reasoning can address monumental questions, showcasing the enduring relevance and utility of math throughout history.
Real-World Applications of Mathematics
Mathematics extends far beyond academic curiosity, playing crucial roles in addressing real-world issues such as environmental pollution. Tom Crawford's research, which uses mathematical models to predict the movement of pollution in oceans, highlights the practical implications of mathematical theory in understanding complex systems. For example, by factoring in variables such as the speed of water flow and its relationship with river systems, mathematicians can effectively anticipate how pollutants spread. The discussion also touches on the seemingly abstract branches of mathematics that, over time, have proven indispensable, such as Einstein's theory of relativity, which is vital for ensuring GPS accuracy today.
Mathematics communicator and drag queen Kyne Santos will help you discover the beauty and power of math in this three-part Friday miniseries. Kyne takes us back to ancient Greece to illustrate the elegance of mathematics. We meet mathematician Tom Crawford, who combines fieldwork and modeling to predict the impacts of pollution, as well as philosopher and logician Mark Jago.
E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman and Kyne Santos. Our show is edited by Madison Goldberg with fact-checking by Shayna Posses, Emily Makowski and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.