Sport

Career profiles

Career profiles

What do mathematicians do all day?

Bend it like Beckham

Bend it like Beckham

A look at the mathematics behind the efforts of all those who have tried to "bend it like Beckham".

Pole Vault

High jump and pole vault

The high jump and pole vault require the athlete to get as far off the ground as they can to clear horizontal bars. In both cases they get a running start. However, to look at the maths behind their sport, you need to look at how high they can jump from a standing start.

Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox

Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox

In order to finish a race, a runner must first run half the total distance. Then run half of the remaining distance, and then half of the distance remaining after that. Can they ever finish the race?

Sweet spot

Sweet spot

You don't need to be a professional sportsperson to work out where the sweet spot is located – you can do it with maths.

Flying through water

Flying through water

Swimming records have tumbled thanks to futuristic swimsuits designed with mathematical precision.

Golfer swing

One, two, three...fore!

What have golfing and grandfather clocks got in common? It's all in the swing...