Mathematics Societies

Societies and Clubs

Maths Society

Maths Society is open to all pupils. The pupils, with support from Dr Baxter, arrange a variety of events with talks given by pupils, staff and external speakers. The highlights of Maths Society have included: Mr Toller’s talk about “How many centres does a triangle have?”; Professor Alex Paseau from the University of Oxford on philosophical logic; Dr Asuka Kumon from King’s College London on continued fractions; Dr Davide Rizza from the University of East Anglia on an introduction to Hilbert’s hotel; Mr Hewitt’s talk on Conway’s Soldiers encouraged the audience to experiment on chessboards with the rules behind the puzzle as well as the underlying maths behind this and associated games. The talk about Babylonian maths when the Pegasus Society joined the Maths Society was very intriguing and people liked learning about maths from 2000BC. The lecture by Professor Imre Leader on aspects of Game theory was elaborate and ingenious, and even managed to tie in the distinction between countable and uncountable infinity.

Events

Team Maths Challenge

The Team Maths Challenge sessions are always extremely popular, with a large number of Upper Third (from SPJ) and Fourth Form pupils attending each fortnight to battle against each other in crossnumbers and shuttles. The talent and enthusiasm of the pupils are extraordinary, making it an absolute pleasure for the teacher running the sessions.

Maths Circle

The maths department are heavily involved in outreach, and one of the highlights of the programme is the UKMT Maths Circle which we host. This involves 54 year 10 students from 27 local schools who come to enjoy eight one-hour lectures and break out activities over two days.

See our previous blog post about Maths circle.

Further Maths Projects – The Toller Prize

In the two weeks following the Lower Eighth summer examinations all of the further mathematicians undertake a short research project, culminating in the production of a poster and the giving of a short lecture. Amongst the huge range of topics selected, we had presentations on topology, fluid dynamics, Diophantine equations and the nature of infinity. The best posters and talks went through to a grand final which took place in the Wathen Hall.

Having made it through to the group stage where the pupils presented their work to their peers, three prizes finalists presented to staff and parents.

The adjudicators remarked at the incredibly high standard of all the talks. It was a showcase for the incredibly talented mathematicians at St Paul’s.

Toller Prize Winning Presentation 2024: