Saturday August 25 2018, C3.6, 10:30 AEST


Mathematics and programming often go hand in hand, but aren’t always equally loved by students. I believe that Python can be a fantastic tool for teaching mathematical concepts, but also that mathematical inquiry can be a starting point for developing a wider interest in programming.


Maths and programming are both areas of study which are often considered difficult, or met with some level of stigma within schools. Hopefully by using each to complement the other, it doesn’t always have to be this way!

Let’s dive in and take a look at how programming can be used to learn about some common mathematical concepts, and why Python is such a great tool for the job! Some examples we’ll explore are:

  • Set theory
  • Combinatorics
  • Linear algebra
  • Simulation and data visualisation

I’ll also share some of my thoughts on how we go about presenting these topics to students, how to encourage inquisition and experimentation, and also how to set expectations and manage difficulty levels.

This talk is suitable for all levels of experience in both maths and programming, no prior knowledge assumed or required!


Watch 'Pi-thon: Teaching maths with python!' on PyCon AU's YouTube account

Liam Callaway

Liam Callaway
@liamcallaway


I’m a recently graduated software developer/applied mathematician. My job mostly involves working with C#, but I enjoy sitting down to write some Python on my weekends. In the past, I’ve tutored high-school and university students in both computer science and mathematics, and I’m passionate about education and outreach.