Let's talk Maths for a moment.
No really, let's.
I never got on with it as a child. Or a teenager. Or an adult. In fact, my least favourite task in my current job involves attempting to balance various financial spreadsheets. There's no escape from the dreaded clutches of number-dom, and it hurts the mind, even when you have clever computer formulas to help you.
I chose to take the flippin' subject for A Level! I can't explain this decision, but I can sum it up - Disaster. Somehow though I ended up with a D, despite sitting in all the exams and trying not to cry whenever I heard "you may now turn your papers over and begin".
My spirits were lifted considerably the other day when I read an article about the general 'dumbing down' of maths in all areas of acadmic life, and in particular on some university exam papers. So, here is a question from a recent exam at a high-achieving, well respected university (the article refused to say which). I was happy to see it because the question is an absolute piece of piddle.
You may now turn your papers over, and begin.
