Are you lucky or just obeying the laws of chance? Simon Singh, author of ’‘Fermat's Last Theorem’, ’‘The Code Book’ and ’‘Big Bang’, looks at the mathematics behind various situations involving luck, risk and coincidence, from the casino to the hospital, from the courtroom to the supernatural. Indeed, our lives are dominated by the laws of chance...an oxymoron if ever there was one. Simon will give some examples that illustrate how our intuition often misleads us, and he will demonstrate how mathematics and critical thinking can help us live, thrive and survive.
Are you lucky or just obeying the laws of chance? Simon Singh, author of ’‘Fermat's Last Theorem’, ’‘The Code Book’ and ’‘Big Bang’, looks at the mathematics behind various situations involving luck, risk and coincidence, from the casino to the hospital, from the courtroom to the supernatural. Indeed, our lives are dominated by the laws of chance...an oxymoron if ever there was one. Simon will give some examples that illustrate how our intuition often misleads us, and he will demonstrate how mathematics and critical thinking can help us live, thrive and survive.
The lecture is part of the Cambridge Science Festival and will be held from 7.30-8.30 pm at Lady Mitchell Hall, on Sidgwick Avenue in Cambridge.
The Science Festival runs until Sunday, 26 March. It provides people of all ages the opportunity to explore science through hands on activities and talks hosted by people who study or work with science, engineering and technology.
The first Science weekend was held on the weekend of March 18-19. Carol Vorderman opened the Science weekend on Saturday, March 18 in the Courtyard, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge.
The Festival’s ‘Spotlight on Science’ lecture series concludes with the panel discussion ‘Priorities for People and Planet’ and science lecture ‘Beyond Einstein: The Future of Cosmology’.
Now in its 13th year, the Cambridge Science Festival hosts over 100 events and is one of National Science Week’s major initiatives. Its aim is to interest school children and adults in the scientific research going on throughout the University, and to encourage school pupils to consider studying science in the future. The events also provide the general public with the chance to ask questions of researchers at the University of Cambridge and for scientists to engage with the public on issues of interest and concern.
The full programme of the events is available on the festival’s website. Interested parties can also call the information line on 01223 766766. Those interested in any of the events that require booking, should book soon due to some venues’ space limitations.
The 2006 Cambridge Science Festival is sponsored by Cambridge University Press, The Technology Partnership, Microsoft Research, the Vodafone UK Foundation, Science Magazine and Oracle. Supporters of the Festival include Cambridge Evening News and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
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