The Maths of Christmas

This lecture opens a mathematical cabinet of Christmas curiosities to reveal the maths hidden inside our favourite festive traditions.

We look at the strange geometry of holly leaves, solve the challenge of creating the pristine six-fold symmetry of a snowflake within the rules of origami (no scissors allowed), and discover algorithms to optimise everything on the festive table from the roast potatoes to the post lunch mince pie (mince π?). All you need for a merry mathematical Christmas is here!