Teaching and Learning

Torkel Loman on mathematical biology. And frustration.

It's tough, isn't? Probably one of the biggest challenges for mathematicians of all ages. Just how do you talk about your subject to friends and family who aren't mathematical? Our crack team of undergraduates ponder.

You know those annoying social media films where a mic is shoved in front of a bunch of students and they're asked questions that have nothing to do with their studies or their lives, hoping they say something vaguely funny or interesting that might get a billion views on TikTok?

Cats are mathematically smart. They can count to nine, they are rarely heading for a fall, and when they are, they always land on their feet. But sometimes they just don't know whether they are coming or going.

Rabbit: a small furry mammal. 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit: a superstition for day one of the month to bring luck for the rest of it. 'Rabbit and pork: Cockney rhyming slang for talk, as in too much of. Rabbit: a maths puzzle?

You can watch Robin's full 15-minute talk on the Golden Ratio here.

Highlights from the comments on our social media in 2025: Flat Earthers 'descending' on our Space video; raging rows over nothing in particular; and lots of that crazy little thing called love. Familiar? Oh, yes And AI.

One criticism of mathematicians is that they always seem to have an answer for everything. Nothing is beyond their reach. Absolutely right. Take the Christmas menu for example. Joshua Bull is your waiter.

You were always on my mind. Zoe, Chiara and Holly sing a familiar song.