East Midlands Branch

THE INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

 

Juggling – Theory and Practice

 

A performance by

Colin Wright

 

Friday 24 February 2006

starting at 7.30 pm

 

Queen’s Building, Q1.10

City Site, De Montfort University,

 Leicester   

Abstract

Juggling has fascinated many for centuries.  Seemingly oblivious to gravity, the skilled practitioner can keep several objects in the air at one time, and weave complex patterns that seem to defy analysis.

 

In this talk the speaker demonstrates a selection of the patterns and skills of juggling while at the same time developing a simple method of describing and annotating a class of juggling patterns. By using elementary mathematics these patterns can be classified, leading to a simple way to describe those patterns that are known already, and a technique for discovering new ones.

 

The talk is suitable for all ages.   Those with some mathematical background should find plenty to keep themselves occupied,  while those less experienced  can enjoy the juggling and the exposition of this ancient skill.

 

The Speaker: Colin Wright graduated in 1982 from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia,  with a  B.Sc(Hons)  in Pure Mathematics.  He received his Ph.D. from Cambridge, England, in 1990, having learned on the way how to unicycle, juggle, fire-breathe and ballroom dance.  He has worked as a research mathematician, a computer programmer and as a hardware designer. He also enjoys sailing small boats and playing bridge,  although not (so far !!) at the same time.

 

No charge is made to attend meetings, non-IMA members are welcome

 

The talk is coordinated by East Midlands Branch Secretary, Dr Stephen Hibberd, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, email: stephen.hibberd@nottingham.ac.uk.

Details of East Midlands Branch activities: http://www.ima.org.uk/EMidBranch/ima.html