Dimensions: a walk through mathematics
Season 1
2008 • 9 Episodes
Nine chapters, two hours of maths, that take you gradually up to the fourth dimension. Mathematical vertigo guaranteed!
Episodes
1. Dimension Two
July 18, 2008
Hipparchus explains how two numbers can describe the position of a point on a sphere. He then explains stereographic projection: how can one draw a picture of the Earth on a piece of paper?
2. Dimension Three
July 25, 2008
M. C. Escher tells the adventures of two-dimensional creatures who are trying to imagine three-dimensional objects.
3. The fourth dimension (1)
August 1, 2008
Mathematician Ludwig Schläfli talks to us about objects in the fourth dimension and shows us a procession of regular polyhedra in dimension 4, strange objects with 24, 120 and even 600 faces!
4. The fourth dimension (2)
August 8, 2008
Mathematician Ludwig Schläfli talks to us about objects in the fourth dimension and shows us a procession of regular polyhedra in dimension 4, strange objects with 24, 120 and even 600 faces!
5. Complex Numbers (1)
August 15, 2008
Mathematician Adrien Douady explains complex numbers. The square root of negative numbers is explained in simple terms. Transforming the plane, deforming pictures, creating fractal images.
6. Complex Numbers (2)
August 22, 2008
Mathematician Adrien Douady explains complex numbers. The square root of negative numbers is explained in simple terms. Transforming the plane, deforming pictures, creating fractal images.
7. Fibration (1)
August 29, 2008
The mathematician Heinz Hopf describes his "fibration". Using complex numbers he builds beautiful arrangements of circles in space.
8. Fibration (2)
September 5, 2008
The mathematician Heinz Hopf describes his "fibration". Using complex numbers he builds beautiful arrangements of circles in space.
9. Proof
September 12, 2008
Mathematician Bernhard Riemann explains the importance of proofs in mathematics. He proves a theorem on stereographic projection.