The Magic of Maths
Mathematics is deeply related to magic since the first description of a card trick appeared in a book written by Luca Pacioli and Leonardo da Vinci about 1508.
This session is presented by the Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with Maths Week as a mathematical show addressed to secondary schools where all the tricks performed have a mathematical reason. With the collaboration of the attendees, dates and numbers will be guessed, magical knots will be tied and untied as well as other amazing tricks with cards or ropes will be shown in this performance.
The mathematical ideas used in the tricks rely on concepts that are studied at school and involve both arithmetical and geometrical properties. We will pay attention to calendars, geometrical shapes and bodies, knots, barcodes, banknotes and the relationship between mathematics and arts.
The main target of this workshop is showing that mathematics is everywhere: from serious applications, such as cryptography, to fun and leisure, having a mathematical magic show as the best example.
Fernando Blasco is a Doctor in Maths Science with interests in science outreach, the relationship between education and communication and the introduction of science as part of the culture. He is also a magician and member of the Spanish Society of Illusionism. Blasco collaborates regularly with different media and has a Maths programme for all audiences in the Spanish National Radio (RNE). He is part of the "Public Awareness Committee" of the European Mathematical Society and President of the Communication Commission of the Spanish Royal Maths Society.
Maths Week Ireland was originated in 2006 and it keeps engaging people of all ages with fun, interesting and challenging maths, making this science accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
Free workshop for Secondary schools addressed to students of Spanish.
