Mathematics (52 total posts)

The Wine Glass and the Water Glass Puzzle

March 28, 2018
This is an old one but is a wonderful example of a puzzle with an unexpected, counter-intuitive solution. ‘Two 50ml glasses are filled to the brim, one with wine and the other with water. A teaspoon (5ml) of water is transferred to the wine glass and thoroughly...

Understanding Keywords in Mathematics Exams

March 23, 2018
Whether you are approaching your final exams, or you’re at the stage of mid-course exams, you’re probably beginning to put in some practice of past paper questions. Sometimes it isn’t the maths which is hard, but understanding the language of the...

Understanding the Chain Rule

March 7, 2018
[latexpage] Most students are first introduced to the chain rule when shown how to differentiate a function such as y = (3x – 2)5. The problem is that is tempting to try and fit all chain rule differentiations into that format, for example trying to...

Straight Line Curves

February 21, 2018
It’s a really relaxing bit of recreational mathematics (albeit with some serious theory behind it), creating beautiful curves just by drawing straight lines. I can only give a glimpse in this blog, but the possibilities are endless. If you’re tempted to...

Great Mathematicians 5: Al-Khwarizmi

January 26, 2018
Not heard of him? Born in 780 in what was then Persia, he became one of the learned men of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. He lived to the age of 70 and, because of the breadth of his work in mathematics and the sciences, he must have been an amazing person to know....

Some Mathematical Tips for the New Year

January 8, 2018
[latexpage] Happy New Year everybody! At this time last year I suggested some new year resolutions to help you in your studies. They are of course valid at all times, and if you didn’t see them, then have a look now. This time I’ve got some tips which you...