A Mathematical Mystery Tour (1984)
Title
A Mathematical Mystery Tour (1984)
Subject
Documentary films
Mathematics
URL
A Mathematical Mystery Tour (1984) from Keith Devlin on Vimeo.
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Description
Content from WorldCat.org
(https://www.worldcat.org/title/mathematical-mystery-tour/oclc/15338888) :
Explores the world of pure mathematics and some of the classical problems that elude solution or proof, even after several hundred years. (Fermat's last theorem and the Goldbach conjecture are among two discussed.) Mathematicians explain that new theorems are continually reshaping mathematics, including Gödel's incompleteness theorems that showed an axiomatic system will always be incomplete and thus some statements can never be proved true or false wihout addition of more axioms. Difference of formalists and platonists is investigated. The impact of the computer is briefly examined, including the calculation of Pi to several million places.
Ephemera: text saved from original ephemera. Small clipping from program guide. Nova. A Mathematical Mystery Tour--A number bigger than infinity and a bottle with no insides are some of the puzzles encountered in this program, which examines the abstract world of pure mathematics. Handwritten: Under Cover March 5, 1985. vol.12, No.3
Limitations: This page displays video content associated with a videotape in the CCDR Collections audiovisual library recorded by Joann W. Kealiinohomoku. Please be advised that, because this videotape has not yet been digitized for direct access, we cannot guarantee that the video content on this page is an exact match with the content originally recorded by Dr. Kealiinohomoku. We also cannot guarantee function or access for re-hosted video content.
(https://www.worldcat.org/title/mathematical-mystery-tour/oclc/15338888) :
Explores the world of pure mathematics and some of the classical problems that elude solution or proof, even after several hundred years. (Fermat's last theorem and the Goldbach conjecture are among two discussed.) Mathematicians explain that new theorems are continually reshaping mathematics, including Gödel's incompleteness theorems that showed an axiomatic system will always be incomplete and thus some statements can never be proved true or false wihout addition of more axioms. Difference of formalists and platonists is investigated. The impact of the computer is briefly examined, including the calculation of Pi to several million places.
Ephemera: text saved from original ephemera. Small clipping from program guide. Nova. A Mathematical Mystery Tour--A number bigger than infinity and a bottle with no insides are some of the puzzles encountered in this program, which examines the abstract world of pure mathematics. Handwritten: Under Cover March 5, 1985. vol.12, No.3
Limitations: This page displays video content associated with a videotape in the CCDR Collections audiovisual library recorded by Joann W. Kealiinohomoku. Please be advised that, because this videotape has not yet been digitized for direct access, we cannot guarantee that the video content on this page is an exact match with the content originally recorded by Dr. Kealiinohomoku. We also cannot guarantee function or access for re-hosted video content.
Original Format
TV broadcast recorded off air by JWK: Betamax tape
Creator
Jon Palfreman (creator)
Publisher
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Date
1984
1985 March 17 (recorded)
Citation
“A Mathematical Mystery Tour (1984),” Cross-Cultural Dance Resources Collections, accessed January 16, 2026, https://ccdrcollections.omeka.net/items/show/65.