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Description
In this programme an ancient Christian symbol of three separate but interlocking circles is used to illustrate the concept and use of mathematical relations.
In this programme an ancient Christian symbol of three separate but interlocking circles is used to illustrate the concept and use of mathematical relations.
| Module code and title: | M101, Mathematics: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | M101; 17; 1977 |
| First transmission date: | 03-06-1978 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:25:00 |
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| Producer: | John Jaworski |
| Contributors: | Norman Gowar; John Mason |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 13th century manuscripts; Christian symbols; Family trees; Functions; Graphs |
| Footage description: | John Mason introduces the programme. He looks at an ancient Christian symbol for the Trinity three rings which overlap, and explains that will use the properties of this symbol to explain mathematical relations. Norman Gowar reconstructs the symbol using three large rings. The properties of the symbol are that the rings are locked together and yet if one of the rings is cut the other two fall apart. Having constructed the symbol Norman Gowar now tries to construct a similar unit using four rings instead of three, but with the same properties. The problems this causes leads to the need for a formal systematic approach, which is provided by the idea of relations. Norman Gowar explains what a mathematical relation is. He illustrates his ideas with computer animations. John Mason gives some further examples of mathematical relations, including non-numerical relations, which can be expressed by using dots and arrows. Again this is illustrated by computer animations. This idea is now used to analyse the construction of the Trinity rings. The pattern produced to construct the Trinity rings is then extended to demonstrate conclusively that the same type of construction cannot be made with four rings. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72603 |
| Production number: | 00525_4255 |
| Videofinder number: | 2472 |
| Available to public: | no |
