A Good Mathematician is a Lazy Mathematician, a talk by Ed Rochead (Dstl)
Abstract
I am not sure when I first heard this phrase, I suspect it was used by one of my sixth form maths teachers, but I have increasingly come to realise how true this is – and what is more remarkable this laziness has actually shaped the way we, and perhaps society, think about mathematics.
The talk will introduce me and give some background about myself and my career to provide context. The main part of the talk will explore some of the short cuts of mathematics, and the influences they have had. Examples will include some of Euler’s thinking and ‘clock arithmetic’ and the use of logarithms pioneered by Napier, Briggs and Oughtred. The talk will be illustrated with slides, and there will also be some mathematical ‘props’ to play with.
The talk will conclude with a brief description of some of the ways government uses mathematics, and opportunities of engaging with this, either as employees or otherwise.
About the Speaker
Ed is a Senior Principal Mathematician who has recently developed to specialise in leading strategic relationships activities. A career civil servant, he joined the MOD as a graduate mathematician and has a post-graduate qualification in materials sciences. Ed has had a varied career, from mathematical modelling of armour systems, front-line Operational Analysis (OA – also known as Operational Research) in Iraq, OA for a major maritime procurement, OA for combat air and helicopter capabilities, programme managing research on ‘Air Enabling Capabilities and Technologies’ and now Programme Manager Strategic Partnerships.
Ed is a keen mentor and is passionate about developing the people around him to achieve their potential, as well as enabling the organisations about him to work together to achieve their potential. Ed is a Chartered Mathematician and Scientist, and holds fellowships in the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Royal Society of the Arts. Ed is keen to explore the links between STEM and the arts / design, and believes there may be opportunities to generate prosperity and growth from this interface. Married with grown up children, Ed is kept fit by an energetic spaniel, writes and speaks on a variety of topics, and is on the boards of several regional charities and the Council of the IMA.
No charge is made to attend meetings. Non-IMA members are welcome.
