Behind the Blackboard: A Mathematical Walking Tour

Maths is a subject that often receives short thrift. Whether foggy memories of making O-Level calculations or currently working towards achieving the needed grades, for many maths is very firmly associated with numbers or incomprehensive scrawling on chalkboards a la Good Will Hunting. While this is an admittedly important part of maths, its fascinating social history – of the men and women from Ancient Egypt through to the modern day – is often forgotten.

Hidden away in the area surrounding Russell Square are fragments that allow us to tell this story, in a creative and engaging way. So come for the tea. Find out why the closure of a small Japanese company caused outcry in modern-day mathematics community, or how Pythagoras ended up meeting a fiery end. Discover the important mathematicians who have left an academic (chalk) mark and learn (as someone who hasn't received formal training in mathematics) about the 'beautiful' ideas normally reserved for (pure) mathematicians.

Whether you are an A-level student deciding whether to study mathematics, a visitor to London who is looking to do something a bit out of the ordinary, or a local who wants a new perspective on their city, this tour has something for you. Appetite whetted? All starting to add up? Ready for more bad math puns? See the tour details to determine how an Epoch Walking Tour can fit into your day exploring England's capital.