The Story of Maths Season 1 Episode 3 The Frontiers of Space

In season 1, episode 3 of The Story of Maths, titled The Frontiers of Space, we continue to explore the history of mathematics and how it has been used to understand and explain the universe. The episode focuses on the relationship between mathematics and cosmology, or the study of the origins and evolution of the universe.

We start by looking at the work of the Greek mathematician Euclid, who developed the principles of geometry that are still used today. His ideas about shapes and space played a crucial role in the development of astronomy, which became a major focus of mathematicians during the Renaissance.

Next, we delve into the work of Johannes Kepler, a German mathematician and astronomer. His three laws of planetary motion, discovered in the 17th century, helped provide a more accurate model of the solar system than earlier theories. Kepler's work was built upon by Sir Isaac Newton, who used mathematics to develop his theory of gravity and explain the motions of planets, stars, and galaxies.

We then move on to the 20th century, where the field of cosmology exploded with new discoveries and theories. Mathematicians like Albert Einstein and George Lemaitre helped develop the Big Bang theory, which proposed that the universe began as a hot, dense point and has been expanding ever since. Mathematicians have also played a key role in studying the properties of black holes and the behavior of gravitational waves, which were first detected in 2015.

The episode also explores how mathematics has been used to explore the possibility of other universes beyond our own. The concept of string theory, which proposes that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are not particles but tiny, one-dimensional strings, has been a major focus of research in theoretical physics and mathematics.

Throughout the episode, we see how mathematics has been used to not only understand the universe but also to push the boundaries of knowledge and explore the unknown. From the ancient Greeks to modern-day researchers, mathematicians have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.