It all adds up

There has been much made of late over the country at large’s state of education with regards to maths. You know the stuff – people are prepared to admit they’re not too hot at the old mathematics whereas there is a stigma attached to admitting other educational weaknesses. No-one asks you to read out the menu to them at the beginning of a meal, claiming not to be too good at reading, however you may find a certain haste to pass on the clever adding up and dividing needed to work out your share of the bill when all of the yummies are safely in the tummies. Hmm. Hence the arrival of Dara O’Briain: School Of Hard Sums, on that most surprising of educational channels: Dave.

Let me start by stating my level of mathematical expertise. I have a GCSE in Maths and was told, when I expressed an interest in the A-level that I would ‘struggle’. I took History instead. So I had an interest and it was squashed a long time ago. This programme, however, is bringing that interest back to the fore for me and probably quite a few others in a similar position. Using practical ‘problems’ and pitting himself as the mathematician – or ‘brain’ – versus a different comic guest each week, in this case David O’Doherty – or ‘brawn’ – Dara explains quite complex ideas in very accessible terms. And not for any sense of learning, but for a more valuable sense of knowledge. You know, the stuff that you hold onto in your head because it’s interesting and may have some practical application in the future. But mostly because it’s interesting.

“This is an entertainment programme, not some extra Open University bonus”

There are three rounds and each is officiated by clever clogs Professor Marcus Du Sautoy, with a pair of telegenic maths students to one side adding thier ideas from time to time and being called The Department Of Maths. It’s all rather good fun, and with the final problem being how to get the most kisses at a dance, tempting to many for its frivolous fun application of something which has previously been held to represent the worst case scenario of a Friday afternoon clock-watching in the school room. Maths doesn’t have to be the sole kingdom of the geek, is the message.

I’ve got to admit, this did get me exercising muscles in the noggin that had grown dusty with neglect, which is why I earlier stated my current maths qualifications. I’m not a born scientist but I did have an interest in how things work, and with someone funny and engaging trying not to make me ‘struggle’ it’s all a lot more accessible. And enjoyable. Apart from anything else, this is an entertainment programme not some extra Open University bonus. It’s funny. and for those of you old enough to remember The Great Egg Race with Professor Heinz Wolff, has the same mad professor vibe of pressing buttons – and even inventing buttons – that made that show such a BBC2 hit of the ‘80s. Now that’s a learning programme they should bring back!
In conclusion, and I’ve shown my workings, Dara’s done a good thing for both his career and viewers at home – he’s made a programme that is funny, engaging and completely new. A commissioning editor’s perfect equation.

Dara O’Briain: School Of Hard Sums, Dave, Monday 16 April