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21/05/2013

Ahead of his appearance at the Hay Festival, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy joins Adam Walton to explain how maths is at the heart of nearly everything we do.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 26 May 2013 06:30

Marcus du Sautoy

Marcus Du Sautoy doesn't fall into any of the stereotypes you might imagine for an OxfordÌýUniversity Professor of Mathematics. He's a surfer, a trumpeter and an ardent fan of Arsenal Football Club. ButÌýhis great passions are prime numbers, patterns and symmetry.

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Ahead of hisÌýappearance at the Hay Literary Festival, he talks to Adam Walton about the importance of numbers and patterns in everyday life. He explains whyÌýprimeÌý numbers, for instance, are favoured by successfull footbal players.ÌýWith his 'maths glasses on' he tells AdamÌýhow he enjoys music and art all the more because he recognises the mathematical sequences and patterns behind the work.

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Links:

Adam goes down to the woods today for a few surprises.

There’s a real battle going on in Wales’ woodland. Our native trees are fighting pests and disease including Ash dieback, Oak decline, Pine weevil and different strains of the deadly phytophthora fungus in both Larch and Juniper. In Science Café this week, Adam Walton travels to an affected forest in Tal Y Bont on Usk, near Brecon, to talk to Prof Hugh Evans, the head of Forest Research in Wales, about the scientific research being done to counter the threats. Chris Jones, a senior tree protection manager with Natural Resources Wales, gives a clearer picture of some of the problems on the ground and Dr Trevor Dines, of Plantlife Cymru, tells Jeremy Grange about a plant scheme that could safeguard the gin industry.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Useful Links:

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OPAL -

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Pine Weevil –

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Natural Resources Wales -

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Saving Juniper/Plantlife -

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Broadcasts

  • Tue 21 May 2013 18:30
  • Sun 26 May 2013 06:30

Adam Walton

Adam Walton

Adam's "other job" - tune in every Saturday at 10 PM for the best new music from Wales.