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The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Maths is Fun

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Eugenia Cheng and Sara Santos

03/07/2017 GMT

Maths is Fun

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Maths is Fun

Two women who transmit their love of maths to others

Two female mathematicians who bring the joy of maths to the general public in different ways.

Calculator tricks and baking cakes - how two female mathematicians help people have fun with maths. 
 
Eugenia Cheng's aim is to rid the world of 'math phobia' and she uses baking to explain complex mathematical ideas to the general public, via her books and YouTube channel. For instance, she makes puff pastry to reveal how exponential growth works. Eugenia has taught Pure Mathematics at universities in the UK, France and US and is currently Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Her most recent book is called Beyond Infinity: An Expedition to the Outer Limits of the Mathematical Universe. 

Sara Santos engages the unsuspecting public in maths through a kind of street performance. Originally from Portugal, Sara now runs a company called Maths Busking in the UK, and tours festivals, schools and corporate events wearing a yellow top hat and doing maths for people's amusement. Her 'tricks' include tying people up with ropes and guessing their birthdays. Sara says the idea that only very clever people are good at maths is rubbish; anyone can do it. 

(L) Image and credit: Eugenia Cheng
(R) Image: Sara Santos. Credit: Paul Clarke

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