6 February 2004

Big Number

Photo opportunity 11.15am, Saturday 7 February, Baxter Conference Suite, Tower Building, Perth Road, Dundee.

Not Big Brother but Big Number - Mathematicians at the University of Dundee are hosting a Big Number master class tomorrow for 40 young budding mathematicians from Dundee and the surrounding area.

Professor Mark Chaplain and Dr Fordyce Davidson will challenge the second and third years to identify number bases and congruences, mathematical groups, patterns of numbers and links between numbers and shapes, and exploring the mathematical topic of number theory, which is all about having fun with numbers.

This is the fifth of six classes in the Mathematics Masterclass Series which have been running on Saturday mornings since November. Each class is led by a distinguished mathematical practitioner, identified for their ability to communicate their excitement and enthusiasm for maths. The budding mathematicians have already calculated their chance of winning the National Lottery using number theory, looked at the mathematics behind computer games, planetary motion, and the sinking of the ship Titanic.

This is the first year that the Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass Series has been organised for this age group in Tayside. The classes, organised by SETPOINT Scotland North, and co-sponsored by the Royal Institution and the University of Abertay Dundee, consist of a series of lectures and workshops designed to stimulate and encourage these mathematically promising students by introducing them to aspects of 'real maths' and its applications, which are not usually found in the school curriculum or taught to this age group.

The pupils attending the masterclasses are from the following schools: Baldragon Academy, Blairgowrie High School, Braeview Academy, Breadalbane Academy, Brechin High School, Craigie High School, Dollar Academy, Lawside RC Academy, Madras College, Menzieshill High School, Monifieth High School, Morgan Academy, Perth Grammar School, St John's RC High School and The Community School of Auchterarder

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk