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Paddy MacMahon

@paddymacmahon.com
1.4K followers 488 following 2.2K posts

Former Head of Maths, now Maths Teacher at Latymer Upper School paddymacmahon.com OCR, Cambridge International and AQA associate, Desmos and Google Colab enthusiast

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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 19h
#ALevelMaths #MathsToday Find the exact value of the green area.
The hyperbola x²-4xy-2y²=10 is in red, together with a circle, centred at the origin which just touches the hyperbola in two places. The circle is red and its interior is green.
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 29/09/2026
#CoreMaths #MathsToday How are @netflix.com delivering more value by *increasing* their prices...? 🧐
An email from Netflix:

Thanks for letting us entertain you since 2014. Starting on 29 October, we're updating our prices to bring you even more exciting, new entertainment. Your monthly total will increase from £12.99 to £13.99.
Why are prices changing?
We're updating our prices to deliver even more value for your membership. Expect fresh, can't-miss films, series, live and exclusive content every week to keep you entertained. Next month alone, you can expect more than 87 new releases.

The sentence *We're updating our prices to deliver even more value for your membership* is highlighted
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Tommaths (he/him) @teakayb.mathsy.space · 26/09/2026
I've got one copy of *The Mathematicians' Library* to give away in each of four languages: Polish, German, Japanese, and Spanish. I'm offering them for free (including UK postage) & I'd like them to go somewhere that'd make good use of them. If you think *your* organisation or group would...
Four editions of The Mathematicians’ Library are arranged on a patterned surface: the Polish edition, German edition, Japanese edition and Spanish edition. The Polish and Spanish covers feature a Renaissance-style astronomical diagram with a Vitruvian figure, while the German edition has a vivid purple-and-pink fractal design and the Japanese edition shows colourful abstract mathematical forms.
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Katie Finlayson @learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
One for the UK Maths crowd - this would be a great place to work: www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy... A level Maths/Stats/FM, large successful state college, lovely town. Fab students (such as my children :)).
tes.com
Teacher – A Level Maths, Welsh Bridge Campus - Tes Jobs
Shrewsbury College, United Kingdom
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 22/09/2026
Chi-squared tests in #CoreMaths #MathsToday. We used this resource yesterday: www.paddymacmahon.com/resources/a-... The presence of actual M&Ms is proving somewhat distracting...
A pupil sorting a packet of M&Ms into a 'bar chart'.The final bar chart for a packet of M&Ms.
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 21/09/2026
Complex numbers practice in L6 #FurtherMaths #ALevelMaths #MathsToday.
Two questions: a quadratic equation and a pair of simultaneous equations where the coefficients are complex.

They are:

1. Solve (1-2i)z^2-(3+4i)z-9+13i=0

2. Solve (2+i)z+(4-i)w=21-i and (1+3i)z+(2+5i)w=12+18i
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 17/09/2026
Argand diagrams in #FurtherMaths #ALevelMaths #MathsToday, so I made a little completion table. drive.google.com/file/d/1aFK0...
A completion table for working with modulus and argument. Link to document in the post.
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 16/09/2026
Complex numbers in #FurtherMaths #ALevelMaths #MathsToday, so we looked at this problem: Explain why the absolute values of the real and imaginary parts of the square of a Gaussian integer give the legs of a Pythagorean triple.
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 14/09/2026
Inspection! Hooray!
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 14/09/2026
Discussing my favourite two facts about random variables with my U6 #FurtherMaths #ALevelMaths in #MathsToday: They're not random, and they're not variables. Has got me thinking about flying lemurs...
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Matt Henderson @matthen.com · 13/09/2026
Approximating the Lorenz attractor with a chaotic leaky water wheel. The orange dot is the centre of mass of the water. It traces (a projection of) the familiar attractor as the wheel spins seemingly randomly left and right.
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Roger Highfield @rogerhighfield.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
In 1992 I introduced Tom Stoppard to Bob May, who'd put chaos into biology. A year later I was reviewing Arcadia. It closes Saturday, at the theatre that now carries Stoppard's name. My story, plus my lost 1993 review rogerhighfield.substack.com/p/on-the-ori...
rogerhighfield.substack.com
On the Origins of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia
In 1992, I introduced Stoppard to the professor who put chaos into biology. A year later I reviewed the play that came out of it. As Arcadia is about to leave the West End, here's what happened.
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Terence Tao @teorth.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
A group of 25 Fields Medalists, including myself, have made a joint declaration on Math and AI: mathandai.org . We welcome additional signatories. See also this article in the Economist announcing the declaration: www.economist.com/science-and-...
mathandai.org
Declaration — Math and AI
Read the declaration and add your name.
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Segar Rogers @segarrogers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I think the maths historians would probably call this a 'surveyors' problem. Am in the process of making a sheet of them ... unless anyone already has such a thing. (The 40 and the 72 are the areas of the rectangles formed by the respective diagonals). #UKMathsChat #iTeachMath
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Alex J-W @alexjw.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/jobs/teacher... anyone fancy a nice part time job in south man with me!
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk
Teacher of Mathematics - Parrs Wood High School
Teacher of Mathematics job from Parrs Wood High School. Apply by 14 Sep 2026.
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LSE Department of Mathematics @lsemaths.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Join Dr Brigitte Stenhouse (Open University) for What Does It Take to Become a Mathematician? The Case of Mary Somerville. (1780–1872) 🗓️ Wednesday 14 October 2026 🕰️ 18:30-20:00 Book your place now🔗: bit.ly/3VnuXn2
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Natalie Vernon @natalievmei.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Are you teaching #ALevelMaths or #ALevelFurtherMaths this year?? We still have a few places on our fully funded longer-term CPD courses with study days around the country. If you are in Leeds I'll be there this year talking statistics! 🤩 Full details: amsp.org.uk/teachers/extended-pd-courses/
amsp.org.uk
Extended Professional Development Programme - AMSP
Extended professional development courses for AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics teachers.
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Claire @claireph.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In #mathstoday core maths estimated how many cars might be in a 3km traffic jam on the M4.
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Tommaths (he/him) @teakayb.mathsy.space · 09/09/2026
I thought Byrne's 1847 treatment of Euclid's Elements was pretty cool, but today I learned that @chethamslibrary.bsky.social in Manchester have an early English translation from 1579 that has fold-out flaps, making it one of the earliest pop-up books in English? Why aren't they... #MathsToday 🏛️🎓
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Matt Henderson @matthen.com · 10/09/2026
bsky.app/profile/mino...
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 08/09/2026
TMUA prep session after school in #MathsToday. Lots of hard thinking going on at 5:00pm...
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 07/09/2026
A coordinate geometry question for discussion in #ALevelMaths #FurtherMaths #MathsToday. Most plumped for using perpendicular gradients, equations of lines and simultaneous equations. One went for a trig solution. I like this method (none of the class went for it... 😕): youtu.be/Df07cDPguPc?...
A coordinate geometry question: given points A(-1, 3), B(11, 0) and C(9, 9), what is the distance of C from the line through A and B? Students are required to discuss possible strategies.
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mrmunro.bsky.social @mrmunro.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This year we are launching A Level statistics. Reaching out to anyone who has delivered this already? #AlevelStats Appreciate a retweet to reach more people 🙏🏽
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Mathematics classroom' PD course is now open for booking for the autumn term 4 online sessions and a study day in London, Birmingham or Manchester (and there's a £350 bursary for attending!) amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter in front of a screenTeachers at a professional development day
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Nathan Day @nathanday.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
*New* Mathematician of the Week Posters Here's something I've been working on over the summer. A growing set of posters of mathematicians doing cool things with maths. Each comes in black/white or colour, with a quote and a link to read more. Check them out at: interwovenmaths.com/mathematicians
Collage of 25 posters of mathematicians.Screenshot of week 1, showing a poster, a quote and a link.Screenshot of week 14, showing a poster, a quote and a link.Screenshot of week 12, showing a poster, a quote and a link.
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Penny W @pennywpennyw.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
🔹🔷🟦 #FridayQuiz 🟦🔷🔹 🔹 Like, share and repost 🔹 Have a go and good luck! 🔹 Share your score below with a gif 🔹 Share the quiz with whoever you want! Happy #Friday! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Desmos Studio @desmos.com · 24/08/2026
To register for this and other upcoming webinars, head to community.desmos.com/c/events #iteachmath #mathsky
community.desmos.com
Desmos Studio Community
Login to Desmos Studio Community community via email or SSO today.
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London Mathematical Society @londmathsoc.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
We're delighted to be once again co-hosting the Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference, taking place at @icms-edinburgh.bsky.social (and online) on 7 and 8 October. This conference celebrates the remarkable achievements and lasting impact of Black mathematicians. ➡️ www.lms.ac.uk/events/black...
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Bruce Lawson @brucel.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Mastermind specialist subject: Transport for London moquettes (the patterned upholstery seen on London transport). And she's wearing a moquette-themed pullover. Hero!
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Desmos Studio @desmos.com · 21/08/2026
Aaaaand...action! You can now add buttons to your Desmos notebooks. #mathsky #iteachmath #desmos
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Penny W @pennywpennyw.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
🔹🔷🟦 #FridayQuiz 🟦🔷🔹 🔹 Like, share and repost 🔹 Have a go and good luck! 🔹 Share your score below with a gif 🔹 Share the quiz with whoever you want! Happy #Friday! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 20/08/2026
Doing further maths definitely seems to improve your single maths outcome. #MathsToday #ALevelMaths
 A graph showing single maths A level score against IGCSE maths score for two cohorts: further mathematicians (in blue) and single mathematicians (in red). The trendline for the further mathematics cohort is noticeably higher than that for single mathematicians.
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rev. howard arson @theophite.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
the mechanism behind this is that if you don't do your homework you don't learn the topic
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Complete Mathematics @lasalleed.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
💻 Get started with Desmos Notebooks! Explore the new platform, see a notebook built live, and create your own in this hands-on workshop. Leave with practical experience and ideas ready for the classroom. 🎟️ completemaths.com/community #MathsConf41
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Sam Hartburn @samhartburn.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Don't miss our one and only gig this year! Cracking new maths songs, old favourites, a set from the wonderful Helen Arney, and the chance to explore some of the MathsWorld exhibits! Monday 21st September at MathsWorld, London. Tickets at mathsworld.com/events/Pseud...
Poster with a photo of the band members of Pseudorandom Ensemble and a photo of Helen Arney. With the text MathsWorld Lates: London. The Pseudorandom Ensemble, featuring Colin Beveridge, Sam Holloway, Sam Hartburn and Gavan Fantom.

Monday 21st September

Music 18:45
Museum open 18:15-21:00
£8 per person
£5 annual pass holders

A musical journey through the highs, lows and medians of being a mathematician, with detours into the worlds of pentagonal tilings, squircles, square packing and more. Expect maths! Expect music! Expect significant amounts of exposition between the songs to make sure everyone's up to speed! With special guest Helen Arney - geek songstress, musical comedian and one third of Festival of the Spoken Nerd.

For more info or to book, head to www.mathsworld.com/events
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 16/08/2026
@themathsbazaar.bsky.social
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Matt Henderson @matthen.com · 15/08/2026
Game of Life on Penrose tiles
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UK Maths Trust @ukmathstrust.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
40 talented students, one action-packed week of maths! 🙌 A record number of young mathematicians are taking part in the UKMT's annual Olympiad training camp this week. Intensive sessions, exciting challenges and lots of problem-solving fun! 🎉 #maths #UKMT #mathscamp #olympiad
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 13/08/2026
Good luck to everyone collecting results today! #ALevelMaths
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The Maths Bazaar @themathsbazaar.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Remember teachers and students get free subscriptions to the Financial Times, and that includes a free digital pass to the FT Weekend Festival on 5th September More details at professional.ft.com/free-for-sch...
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benjamin dickman @benjamindickman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
a post on "trigonomial functions" #iTeachMath ♾️ created for PROMYS for Teachers 2.0: docs.google.com/presentation... tl;dr Can you write cos(nx) as a polynomial in cos(x)? e.g., cos(2x) = -1 + cos^2(x) In our notation, this would become: T_2(x) = -1 + x^2 🚨no spoilers if you've seen it before!🚨
docs.google.com
Presentation: Trigonomial Functions
Trigonomial Functions Dmitry, Benjamin, Tyler PROMYS for Teachers 2.0 2026 CE, Summer
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 27/07/2026
Without saying your age what is your favorite movie from the year you turned 18.
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 24/07/2026
If you see this, quote a pic of you in sunglasses
A man in a shirt and shorts wearing sunglasses standing next to a sign for Maramba High School
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Penny W @pennywpennyw.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
🔹🔷🟦 #FridayQuiz 🟦🔷🔹 🔹 Like, share and repost 🔹 Have a go and good luck! 🔹 Share your score below with a gif 🔹 Share the quiz with whoever you want! Happy #Friday! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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plus.maths.org @plusmaths.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
And the fourth Fields Medal goes to Hong Wang plus.maths.org/icm-2026-fm-2 @londmathsoc.bsky.social #maths #mathematics
plus.maths.org
The Fields Medals 2026: Hong Wang
What do sound waves, snow flakes and spinning needles have in common? The answer is the mathematics of Hong Wang, who has just won a Fields Medal at the 2026 ICM.
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UK Maths Trust @ukmathstrust.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Alex Chui, a student representing the United Kingdom at the International Mathematical Olympiad, has become the most decorated Maths Olympiad participant of all time. Read more: ukmt.org.uk/british-pupi...
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 22/07/2026
Book number 31 of the year (I'm on track for my half century, I think...) and this was a corker. Beautiful, tense and devastating.
The cover of The Death of Us by Abigail Dean: a sunlit room with a single wooden chair and a woman's shadow on the wall behind it. Less clearly, a man's shadow next to it.
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The Maths Bazaar @themathsbazaar.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Share your opinion with Pearson about changes you'd like to se in Maths education: www.pearson.com/en-gb/school...
l.facebook.com
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Paddy MacMahon @paddymacmahon.com · 20/07/2026
#MathsOnHoliday at the Bulawayo Club in Zimbabwe
A floor tiling with a start made from 12 equilateral triangles inside two concentric circles.
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Penny W @pennywpennyw.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🔹🔷🟦 #FridayQuiz 🟦🔷🔹 🔹 Like, share and repost 🔹 Have a go and good luck! 🔹 Share your score below with a gif 🔹 Share the quiz with whoever you want! Happy #Friday! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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