Patterns of Life - for iPod/iPhone

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Everywhere you look in nature you will find patterns. From the seeds in the flower under your nose to the flock of swallows overhead some patterns keep occurring again and again. The essence of mathematics is a series of simple rules that produce complex consequences. And nowhere are these complex consequences more apparent than in the natural world. This collection will look at 5 mathematical theories that were inspired by nature. It will look at the origin of the theory, its impact on research at the time and its continuing relevance.

Episodes

  1. 26/11/2014 · VIDEO

    Edward Lorenz and Chaos Theory

    Why can’t we get a good weather forecast? Meteorologist Edward Lorenz tried to predict the weather but in the end all he discovered were chaotic systems, leading him to declare long term weather forecasting is utterly impossible.

    1 min

  2. 26/11/2014

    Transcript -- Edward Lorenz and Chaos Theory

    Transcript -- Why can’t we get a good weather forecast? Meteorologist Edward Lorenz tried to predict the weather but in the end all he discovered were chaotic systems, leading him to declare long term weather forecasting is utterly impossible.

  3. 26/11/2014 · VIDEO

    Alan Turing and Morphogenesis

    What makes tigers striped and cheetahs spotty? World War II code-breaker and father of computing, Alan Turing, has a simple explanation…

    1 min

  4. 26/11/2014

    Transcript -- Alan Turing and Morphogenesis

    Transcript -- What makes tigers striped and cheetahs spotty? World War II code-breaker and father of computing, Alan Turing, has a simple explanation…

  5. 26/11/2014 · VIDEO

    Warren Weaver and Complexity Theory

    In 1948, Warren Weaver identified what he called complex systems. These are systems where individual parts act independently of each other, while still following a set of simple rules.

    1 min

  6. 26/11/2014

    Transcript -- Warren Weaver and Complexity Theory

    Transcript -- In 1948, Warren Weaver identified what he called complex systems. These are systems where individual parts act independently of each other, while still following a set of simple rules.

  7. 26/11/2014 · VIDEO

    D’Arcy Thompson, Structuralism and the Shape of Life

    If evolution is all about random mutations, why do the same patterns keep cropping up in the natural world? Coincidence? Not according to parrot-wielding eccentric, Sir D’Arcy Thompson. He realised that living things grow according to the laws of physics as well as genetics.

    1 min

  8. 26/11/2014

    Transcript -- D’Arcy Thompson, Structuralism and the Shape of Life

    Transcript -- If evolution is all about random mutations, why do the same patterns keep cropping up in the natural world? Coincidence? Not according to parrot-wielding eccentric, Sir D’Arcy Thompson. He realised that living things grow according to the laws of physics as well as genetics.

  9. 26/11/2014 · VIDEO

    Charles Darwin and Game Theory

    If evolution’s all about survival, why do peacocks have such huge, extravagant tails? This problem preyed on Charles Darwin’s mind. Luckily, in the 1970s, a hip bunch of mathematicians called game theorists came along with an explanation that would have put his mind at rest.

    1 min

  10. 26/11/2014

    Transcript -- Charles Darwin and Game Theory

    Transcript -- If evolution’s all about survival, why do peacocks have such huge, extravagant tails? This problem preyed on Charles Darwin’s mind. Luckily, in the 1970s, a hip bunch of mathematicians called game theorists came along with an explanation that would have put his mind at rest.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Everywhere you look in nature you will find patterns. From the seeds in the flower under your nose to the flock of swallows overhead some patterns keep occurring again and again. The essence of mathematics is a series of simple rules that produce complex consequences. And nowhere are these complex consequences more apparent than in the natural world. This collection will look at 5 mathematical theories that were inspired by nature. It will look at the origin of the theory, its impact on research at the time and its continuing relevance.

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