The Royal Institution of Great Britain Holiday workshops: Mathematical murders and mysteries

This in-person holiday workshop invites young people to explore the history of mathematics through puzzles, stories and hands-on activities. Participants are taken on a journey through some of the most fascinating ideas and turning points in maths, from ancient number systems to the development of algebra and the puzzles that shaped how people think about mathematical problems.

The session asks big questions in an engaging, accessible way: did ancient civilisations understand prime numbers, why was zero once controversial, and what do cats have to do with solving maths puzzles? Along the way, attendees consider why dividing by zero causes problems, where algebra came from, and how mathematicians can be confident that maths remains true.

The workshop is designed for young people at secondary school level who want to think, question and discover more about mathematics beyond the classroom. It combines historical curiosity with problem-solving and interactive learning, making it a good fit for students interested in maths, logic and ideas that challenge the imagination.