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Georg Cantor

Episode 7 of 10

Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: Georg Cantor, numbers and infinity.

This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus du Sautoy shows how these masters of abstraction find a role in the real world and proves that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science.

Today, Georg Cantor, the mathematician who showed us how to carry on counting when the numbers run out. An insight into the nature of infinity that Roger Penrose believes helps to explain why the human brain will always be cleverer than artificial intelligence.

Producer: Anna Buckley

From 2010.

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15 minutes

Last on

Wed 21 Aug 201902:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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The Mathematicians Who Helped Einstein

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Henri Poincaré

See all episodes from A Brief History of Mathematics

Broadcasts

  • Tue 22 Jun 201015:45
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Thu 30 Sep 201023:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 11 Feb 201413:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 20 Aug 201914:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 21 Aug 201902:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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