Life’s a Drag Crisis

The character of fluid flow depends on a dimensionless quantity, the Reynolds number. Named for Belfast-born scientist Osborne Reynolds, it determines whether the flow is laminar (smooth) or turbulent (rough). Normally the drag force increases with speed. The Reynolds number is defined as Re = VL/ν where V is the flow speed, L the length … Continue reading Life’s a Drag Crisis →

Mathematics Solving Crimes

What use is maths? Why should we learn it? A forensic scientist could answer that virtually all the mathematics we learn at school is used to solve crimes. Forensic science considers physical evidence relating to criminal activity and practitioners need competence in mathematics as well as in the physical, chemical and biological sciences [TM080: search … Continue reading Mathematics Solving Crimes →

Numbering the Family Tree

The availability of large historical data sets online has spurred interest in genealogy and family history. Anyone who has assembled information knows how important it is to organize it systematically. A simple family tree showing the direct ancestors of Wanda One is shown here: This has just three generations but, as more people are added, … Continue reading Numbering the Family Tree →

Melencolia: An Enigma for Half a Millennium

Albrecht Dürer, master painter and engraver of the German Renaissance, made his Melencolia I in 1514, just over five centuries ago. It is one of the most brilliant engravings of all time, and amongst the most intensively debated works of art [TM079; or search for “thatsmaths” at irishtimes.com ]. The winged figure, Melancholy, sits in a … Continue reading Melencolia: An Enigma for Half a Millennium →