Zero to Infinity

Part of the series Painting With Numbers

In this programme, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy explains how humans have developed numbers for their mathematical needs.

We learn that humans first began counting with whole numbers only, but then needed to invent others as their mathematical skills increased.

Marcus meets with Dr Eleanor Robson who reveals that zero, as we know it, was invented by Indian mathematicians and that it has revolutionised the way maths is done.

He also takes us to Hilbert's Hotel and demonstrates the mind-boggling mathematics of infinity, hoping to convince us that the universe of numbers is as diverse as the universe we live in.

Download Zero to Infinity (free)

Buy Zero to Infinity on DVD

Send to Friend

Share via:

Comments about Zero to Infinity (3)

Beta_London2009 on 07 December 2009

Dear Professor, Thanks to your excellent video, I can now understand the reason behind the mathematical meaningless o ...
Go down to this comment

My viewing log

Create a record of the videos you have watched and how they have helped your professional development, to demonstrate CPD.

Add this video to your viewing log

Duration: 15:00 minutes
Published: 20 June 2006
Licence information for Zero to Infinity
Next showing on TV: 16:15 13 February 2010

Featured in

Classroom resources

Area

Painting With Numbers

Series

Stages:

KS3 | KS4 | Secondary

Subjects:

Maths | Number and algebra

Support Materials

Downloads

Evidence (Word document)Download (37 Kb)

Supporting information provided by the educational consultant for this programme

Useful websites

Professor Marcus du Sautoy

BBC: h2g2

University of St. Andrews: Zero

Gresham College: Lecture Archive

Wikipedia: Georg Cantor

University of Cambridge: Eleanor Robson

University of Texas: Hot Science

Comments

- Beta_London2009
  
  Dear Professor Thanks to your
  
  7 December 2009 - 17:23
  Dear Professor,
  
  Thanks to your excellent video, I can now understand the reason behind the mathematical meaningless of dividing any number by zero. Watching your video was a very enjoyable experience and I hope to be able to make good use of what I have learnt with students.
  With kindest regards,
  Elisabeth
  - Report the 'Dear Professor Thanks to your ' comment made by 'Beta_London2009'
  - Reply to the 'Dear Professor Thanks to your ' comment made by 'Beta_London2009'
- marcus7871
  
  Zero to Infinity
  
  3 July 2009 - 10:28
  Thank you for your kind comment panotin, hope it helps in your classroom teaching!
  
  Regards,
  Marcus.
  - Report the 'Zero to Infinity' comment made by 'marcus7871'
  - Reply to the 'Zero to Infinity' comment made by 'marcus7871'
- panontin
  
  maths
  
  7 October 2007 - 18:43
  Excellent video that is perfect for a lesson that I do on the real number system. It touches on almost all of the topics that I like to discuss with my class! Right on!
  - Report the 'maths' comment made by 'panontin'
  - Reply to the 'maths' comment made by 'panontin'