You may have watched hundreds of episodes of The Simpsons, but did you know that the writing team is bursting with Maths PhDs? And that the series contains enough mathematics to form the basis of a university course?
Simon Singh, former CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) physicist and author of the No.1 bestseller ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’ will lift the lid on how this mathematically gifted team of writers has covered everything from calculus and geometry, pi and game theory to infinitesimals and infinity throughout the extraordinarily long life of The Simpsons.
Some of the references are as plain as day, whilst others are hidden gems – glimpsed only in freeze frame – inviting discovery by mathematically curious viewers.
Hosted by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI), this free public lecture will reveal how the writers of The Simpsons have made it their subversive mission to smuggle deep mathematical ideas into mainstream popular culture.
Using episodes like “Bart the Genius” and “Homer3” as jumping-off points, Singh will bring to life the most profound mathematical concepts. The audience will learn about Homer’s Last Theorem, read a digestible history of Apu’s favourite number, pi (3.142…), and meet some great mathematicians from the past.
“Simon Singh’s excellent book blows the lid off a decades-long conspiracy to secretly educate cartoon viewers.”
– David X. Cohen, writer for The Simpsons and Futurama
DETAILS:
Event: Public Lecture: The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets
Date: Tuesday 21st January 2014
Time: 6:45pm start (doors open at 6:30pm), 1-hour lecture
Venue: The University of Melbourne, Elisabeth Murdoch Building (Theatre A)
Media Contact:
Stéphanie Pradier
M: 0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
