About the lecture

In the first mini-lecture, we introduce numbers, focusing on: (i) how we use numbers in the real-world and their fundamental importance; (ii) the natural numbers on the number line; (iii) the number zero and the history of its creation; (iv) the clay tablet in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford with ancient calculations; and (v) negative numbers and some history on their use.

About the lecturer

Thomas Woolley is a Mathematical Biologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University. His research focuses on modelling biological systems in order to understand how certain biological phenomena occur. Currently, he is working on understanding muscle stem cell protrusions known as blebs. Blebs allow cells to move along muscle fibres in order to find and heal damage, and Dr Woolley is interested in gaining insights into how this motion occurs. Alongside his research, Dr Woolley is passionate about outreach and has contributed to a variety of projects, including appearances on Numberphile and BBC Radio Wales – Science Cafe. He also contributed to the creation of Mathematics: The Winton Gallery at the London Science Museum.