MATHS WEEK:STUDENTS OF Belfast primary schools will learn about the magic of mathematics today when they meet Kjartan Poskitt, author of the Murderous Mathsbook series.
Poskitt says maths teachers have reported that children who have seen his stand-up routine suddenly start paying more attention in lessons.
"When you first learn maths there's a bit of graft to get through, times tables and graphs, but once you get that under your belt, the fun stuff starts," he says.
The venues for the events are Stranmillis University College, contact: P.Eaton@stran.ac.uk, phone (048) 903 84445, and the W5 Science Centre at the Odyssey entertainment complex, contact (048) 904 67789.
Meanwhile, how to win a bet in the pub will be the subject of author Rob Eastaway's presentation in the Alchemist cafe event in the Mercantile Pub on Dublin's Dame Street at 7.30 tonight (www.alchemistcafedublin.com).
Eastaway describes himself as a creative problem-solver who thinks maths has had a negative image for too long.
"There's no longer the outright fear of getting caned for getting an answer wrong, but as people get older, they enjoy experimenting, with art for example, and I think it's a shame we don't have that culture around maths," he says.
"Maths may seem poles apart from creativity, yet there are some surprising ways in which the two subjects overlap, particularly in the type of lateral thinking needed to tackle many puzzles and everyday problems."
Admission to Eastaway's presentation is free and complimentary food will be provided.
Jenny Piggott, director of Cambridge University's millennium maths project, will host problem-solving workshops for secondary school pupils and teachers at Dundalk's Institute of Technology this morning (Seamus.Bellew@dkit.ie, (042) 937 0295).
Having taught in the classroom for 26 years, she is well aware of the challenges facing teachers.
"Over time teachers have felt disempowered, there are more constraints and constant monitoring and assessments. If you feel you are doing things on your own it feels risky," she says.
"Youngsters need to feel maths is an empowering, engaging and enjoyable subject that they will take to a higher level."
The events take place at 9.30am and 11.30am. Maths Week aims to promote a positive attitude to mathematics. It is organised by the Centre for the Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology at Waterford Institute of Technology.
Daily logic puzzle:A driver plans her journey and calculates that she must achieve an average speed of 60 km/h to make her destination on time. The traffic is heavier than anticipated but clears when she reaches the halfway point where she realises she has only managed an average speed of 30 km/h.
What average speed would she have to drive for the remaining half of the journey to arrive on time? (Answer tomorrow.)
The answer to yesterday's puzzle is: (B), some truths are unknown.