Curated Video
The Biggest Number Ever
What is the biggest number ever used? Graham's number, discovered in the 1970s by mathematician Ron Graham, is so big as to be unfathomable. No one even knows what the first digit is – and a special form of notation is needed to describe...
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Collision Theory
Discover that altering the number of successful collisions between particles is key to changing the rate of chemical reactions. How this can be manipulated? Chemistry - ReactionsLearning Points. New substances are made when particles...
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Sets: Infinity
Discover why infinity puzzled the Greeks, and why this led to the discovery that there is more than one type of infinity. Maths - Algebra A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s context...
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A Pattern in the Primes
For centuries, mathematicians have sought to impose order on prime numbers. How far have they managed to do this? Maths - Number A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s context films show...
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How Algorithms Change the World
What are algorithms, and how do they dictate human behaviour? Helpful and often life-saving functions, algorithms are shaping our lives more and more as they become increasingly complex. Maths - Algebra A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and...
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Numbers: The Discovery of Zero
For centuries, only the numbers 1-9 existed. Who discovered zero? When? And why is it important? Maths - Number A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s context films show abstract concepts...
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The Egyptians and Multiplication
Discover the simple method of Egyptian multiplication that can be used to work out the product of any number, no matter how large, using only powers of two. Maths - History Of Maths A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning...
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Diophantine Equations: Fermat
This amateur mathematician proposed an exciting theorem that stood unproved for over three centuries. He claimed he had the proof – but no room to write it in the margin of his book. Maths - History Of Maths A Twig Math Film. Reinforce...
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Speed, Velocity, Acceleration
Discover how speed, velocity and acceleration are interlinked but very different measurements of motion. Physics - Forces - Learning Points. The velocity and acceleration of any moving object can be calculated. Speed is the distance...
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Japan: Encouraging Population Growth
Why is Japan's population ageing? What impacts could this have on the country in future? And how is the government trying to tackle the problem? Human Geography - A Changing World - Learning Points. Japan, like many developed countries,...
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Set Theory: Cantor
Born in Russia and a talented violin player, Cantor is best remembered for inventing Set Theory – but his life and work was overshadowed by his bipolar personality. Maths - History Of Maths A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the...
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Probability: Irrational Fears
Why do people fear flying but not coconuts? Or rollercoasters but not ladders? Find out how to calculate the theoretical or experimental probability of events, and why this shows that often the things we fear the most are the least...
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Tank Wars
How an unlikely algebraic equation outdid allied spying efforts at providing insight into Nazi tank production – and helped to win the war. Maths - Algebra A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum....
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Binary: The Computer Language
We use binary every day – although we might not know it. Find out how this number system is used in computers to store large amounts of data. Maths - Number A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum....
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What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is vital to life on Earth. What is it and why is it important and how is it changing? Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. Biodiversity is the number of different species and the variety within species. High biodiversity...
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Volume: Counting Stars
How many stars are there in the Universe? Astronomers calculate it the same way they would grains of sand on a beach... using volume. Maths - Measurement A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum....
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The Emperor's Chess Board
The legend of the inventor who asked to be granted grains of rice for each square of a chess board, exponentially. And why his wish could not be fulfilled... Maths - Number A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by...
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Counting Crowds
When measuring very large data sets, like the crowd of 1.8 million who attended Obama's inauguration, often exact counting is impossible. Find out how statisticians use density samples to estimate their statistics. Maths - Accuracy And...
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Overfishing
Find out why the Atlantic bluefin tuna is facing extinction. People and places - Human impact on the environment - Overusing resources Learning Points Natural resources need to be managed carefully. Overfishing can lead to species...
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Butterfly's breakfast
Explanation of a food web. Life processes - Living things in their environments - Food webs Learning Points Herbivores eat only plants. Carnivores eat only animals. Food chains can be combined to create a food web. A Twig Curriculum...
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Shanghai's mass migration
Visit Shanghai, the city with the largest population in the world, home to over 23 million people. People and places - Human geography - Moving around Learning Points People often move from rural areas to urban areas to find better paid...
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Infrasound - Low-Pitch Sounds
Find out about infrasounds – sounds that are too low-pitched to be heard by humans. Physical processes -Sound - Changing pitch Learning Points Infrasounds are too low-pitched for humans to hear. Low-pitched sounds have fewer waves per...
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The human cell
Go back to the beginning of your life and find out how you were created. Life processes - Living processes - Cells Learning Points Human cells consist of a membrane, cytoplasm and a nucleus. A zygote is a single cell formed by the fusion...
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The spread of disease
Discover how a disease can spread from person to person. Life processes - Humans and other animals - Reducing the spread of disease Learning Points Microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria spread disease. The immune system sends white...