Fearful Symmetry - Ian Stewart's 1997 Christmas Lectures 5/5

Ian Stewart's 1997 Lectures draw to a close by taking an in-depth look at the truth and beauty of patterns. Watch all the lectures in this series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZzc4hMDLhMha4WBwTxbDiCO Watch our newest Christmas lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyQJZLPMjwEoOLdkFBLU2m1 This was recorded on 5 Dec 1997. -- 2025 and 2026 mark 200 years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures — a world famous series showcasing science, curiosity, and mind-blowing demos, and started by the legendary Michael Faraday himself. To celebrate, we're unlocking the archive. Every week until March 2026, we’ll upload a classic lecture to our YouTube channel — some not seen since they aired on TV. Sign up as a Science Supporter and get early access here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join -- From the 1997 programme notes: The entire development of mathematics can be seen as a slow broadening of what we accept under the term 'pattern'. It is fitting, therefore, that the 1997 Lectures draw to a close by taking an in-depth look at the truth and beauty of patterns, as illustrated in phenomena ranging from slime mould to the orbit of planets. -- About the 1997 CHRISTMAS LECTURES: Okay. We all know that mathematics can be about as interesting as watching a silent movie wearing a blindfold. The trick is to make it relevant. Make it electric. Plug mathematics in and make it live! Professor Ian Stewart does just that. He's a best-selling author whose enthusiasm for his subject spreads like a forest fire through his audience. In the 1997 Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES, he shows how maths governs almost every aspect of our lives, ranging from our birthdays to American game shows, calling in at panthers, petals, and the logic of chaos. If you're already interested in mathematics, these lectures will remind you of the magic. But if you've yet to see the beauty and fascination of the subject, why not let Professor Stewart remove the blindfold for you? Find out more about the CHRISTMAS LECTURES here: https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures --- Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ri_science Listen to the Ri podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ri-science-podcast Donate to the RI and help us bring you more lectures: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donate-ri Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks-and-moderating-comments Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.