Mathematics Courses in Detail

MTH 01: COLLEGE ALGEBRA (SUMMER TERM)
Tutor: Lloyd Thomas
Day and time: Wednesday 12.45 - 1.45
Venue: Room 3, 33 Bridge Street
Terms: Summer.
Number of places: 20
Under this heading, the American educational system provides an introduction to selected topics usually skipped in the mad rush to calculus: Diophantine equations, mathematical induction, theory of numbers, permutations and combinations, probability, continued fractions, inequalities, series et al. Knowledge of first-year algebra is quite sufficient for following this course, which will give you some tips on how to reduce your gambling losses and show your grandchildren how to whiz through certain time-consuming exam problems. Optional homework. No textbook or calculator necessary, only pencil and paper.

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MTH 02: MATHS CAN BE FUN 1
Leader: Sarah Payne
Day and time: Monday 3.45 - 4.45
Venue: Room 1, 33 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 8
When telling people I am a maths teacher I have often encountered the somewhat nervous response "I was never any good at maths at school." I hope those that take up this course will eventually agree with its title "Maths Can Be Fun". The course will cover a range of topics starting with the counting numbers and moving to Fibonacci sequences, prime numbers, Pascal's triangle, probability, problem solving - the composition of the group will steer the content and level. Links with art and music will be explored. No previous experience is required except a basic ability in arithmetic and an interest in numbers and problem solving.

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MTH 03: MATHS CAN BE FUN 2 (SPRING TERM)
Leader: Sarah Payne
Day and time: Wednesday 11.15 - 12.15
Venue: Room 1, 33 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 8
A repeat of MTH 02.

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MTH 04: THE MATHS WE FORGOT – 1ST YEAR
Co-ordinator: Trevor Lawrence
Day and time: Wednesday 10.00 - 11.15
Venue: The Centre at St Pauls, Hills Road
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 10
Going back to the maths we forgot or never learnt at school. Some arithmetic and basic algebra, geometry and trigonometry - the beginning of School Cert or O-levels! Will include fractions, types of angles and shapes, percentages, area and volume, and some basic trigonometry, simple and compound interest, indices and logarithms and simple linear and simultaneous equations. Co-ordinator will present some topics, and there will be an opportunity for members to do others as they wish. A co-operative self-help group. Complete beginners very welcome.

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MTH 05: THE MATHS WE FORGOT – 2ND YEAR

Co-ordinator: Margaret Head
Day and time: Tuesday 9.45 - 11.00
Venue: Castle End Mission, Pound Hill
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 12
We will refresh our minds about the next steps in the maths studied between 11-16 years. Members joining this class should be familiar with what was covered in Class 1, and this class will take the algebra, geometry and trigonometry further, with more on handling formulae, and introducing quadratic equations and other new topics. While there is no pressure to do so, opportunities will be available for members to give presentations as this is also a self-help class.

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MTH 06: THE MATHS WE FORGOT – 3RD YEAR
Co-ordinator: Dick Wilson
Day and time: Tuesday 11.15 - 12.30
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 10
Picking up what we studied in the last year or so of our maths at school. More topics in algebra and trigonometry, a brief introduction to series and probability, something on set theory and a short look at chaos theory. One or two applications in astronomy and physics. Once again, an opportunity for members to learn by presenting a topic.

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MTH 07: TAKING MATHS FURTHER
Tutor: John Sutcliffe
Day and time: Thursday 2.00 - 3.15
Venue: Friends Meeting House, Hartington Grove
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 12
This class goes beyond the first three classes to explore more on series and probability, the binomial theorem, partial fractions, the beginnings of calculus, further trigonometry and coordinate geometry, and a start on some applied maths, time permitting. Some time will be spent on working examples. The tutor will take the class at its own pace and will offer help to anyone who finds they need to revise the background. Presentations by members who feel confident about making them will be welcome.

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MTH 08: ADVANCED GEOMETRY (SUMMER TERM)
Tutor: Tony Nutbourne
Day and time: Tuesday 10.00 - 11.30
Terms: Summer.
Number of places: 8

The class will consist of six talks on the applications of geometry.
Each talk will be stand-alone so that missing a talk will not be a problem.  A knowledge of calculus, matrices and vector algebra to A level standard will be assumed.
Topics will include the spherical quadrilateral and naval anti aircraft gunnery; geometry of the treble clef leading to parametric spline curves; linear curvature and torsion elements, impulses of curvature, and twisted straight lines and the synthesis of both 2D and 3D curves; Frenet-Serret vector description of curvature and torsion for both curves and surfaces; the properties of cyclidal elements in surface synthesis.  There will be some hark back to school geometry in our day such as Apollonius's and Stewart's theorems, Ceva's theorem, Ptolemy's theorem, to keep things on the rails.