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Peter Rowlett

@peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz

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I teach maths and computing at university in the UK — including modelling, combinatorics, game theory, history, programming — and research university-level mathematics education practice. And I play maths with my son.

Editor, The Mathematical Gazette. Involved @aperiodical@mathstodon.xyz blog, Mathematical Objects podcast, and do various other things.

I'm part of the Finite Group. Join us!

#academia #highered #math #maths #mathematics #education #university

0 Followers

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19 Posts

Joined April 14, 2017

Homepage:

http://peterrowlett.net/

Blog:

http://aperiodical.com/

Finite Group:

http://finitegroup.co.uk

Location:

Nottingham, UK

Posts

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · May 12, 2026

The journal I edit has just published a short piece musing on communication in maths teaching by Douglas Hofstadter.

Could we rely more on everyday intuitions when thinking about abstract ideas? Does the formalism seen when teaching match how mathematicians think about mathematics? Letters to the editor in response (in support or arguing against!) are welcome via gazette@amie.org.uk

Free to access here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00255572.2026.2655320

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · May 06, 2026

Just spotted a new edition of the Comprehensive LaTeX Symbols List has been published and it contains my package customdice!
https://ctan.org/pkg/comprehensive

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 30, 2026

Went to Green’s Windmill this evening for a members’ event. All wrapped up for major repairs to redo the cap and sails.

Visitor numbers understandably down this year. Donations to help welcome: https://www.greensmill.org.uk/support-us/donate/

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 21, 2026

Replying to @richardelwes@mathstodon.xyz

@richardelwes yes, I wondered if there is some primary school definition of multiple that excludes this.

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 21, 2026

Replying to @christianp@mathstodon.xyz

@christianp yes

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 21, 2026

Replying to @robinhouston@mathstodon.xyz

@robinhouston I don't know, is there some primary school definition of multiple that excludes this?

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 21, 2026

My son (10)’s homework asked him for two common multiples of 3 and 4. He put 12 and 0. It marked him wrong. Unsure how to feel about that.

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 13, 2026

I’m on my way to give a talk to Sheffield U3A’s Science & Technology Group, about board games through the ages with a bit of game theory thrown in.

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 11, 2026

In London for the Association for Mathematics in Education Members Day. Looking especially to meet readers, authors and reviewers of The Mathematical Gazette.

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Apr 07, 2026

The first issue of The Mathematical Gazette with me as Editor has arrived in the post!

Non-subscribers can read my editorial (and some other papers in this issue) for free at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00255572.2026.2617021

#MathsToday #MTBoS #ITeachMath

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Mar 31, 2026

For a while I've been enjoying hanging out and chatting maths with @stecks@mathstodon.xyz @Ayliean@mathstodon.xyz @mscroggs@mathstodon.xyz at the Finite Group.

Find out what happens at a Finite Group livestream - new highlights video f. @KatDoesMaths@mathstodon.xyz @jamesgrime@qoto.org

How to join: https://finitegroup.co.uk/#join

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CveAsG3lyD0

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Mar 18, 2026

Replying to @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz

The Gazette has been continuously published since 1894. A history was published in 1996 and now, 30 years later, I'm really pleased my student Amelia Curran has written a new history covering 1894-2025. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00255572.2026.2619744

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Mar 18, 2026

Replying to @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz

The Gazette focuses on mathematical content for teachers at the upper end of secondary school and early stage university. This issue contains articles on approximating pi by measuring a cooling rod, the path taken by a turning die, how to take square roots of matrices, and much more. https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tmgz20/current

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Mar 18, 2026

My first issue of The Mathematical Gazette as editor has been published!

My editorial talks about some of the many changes that the journal and I have been through since the last issue: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00255572.2026.2617021

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Feb 13, 2026

New podcast episode! To round off season 9 of our Mathematical Objects, @stecks@mathstodon.xyz and I enjoy chewing over the folklore that developed around the absent-minded professor caricature.

https://aperiodical.com/2026/02/mathematical-objects-a-norbert-wiener-story/

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Jan 17, 2026

Replying to @MissTR1@theforkiverse.com

@MissTR1 @virtuosew brill, glad to hear I could help!

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Jan 17, 2026

Replying to @MissTR1@theforkiverse.com

@MissTR1 @virtuosew might that be Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede? My son and I read that a few years ago. The main character is a princess who runs away from an arranged marriage to live as servant to a dragon, who competes in trials to determine who will be king. It’s the first of a series, though I don’t think we had any more.

Peter Rowlett @peterrowlett@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 25, 2025

Merry Christmas!

I’ve enjoyed the @mscroggs@mathstodon.xyz https://www.mscroggs.co.uk/ puzzle advent calendar - prizes to be won if you complete the puzzles this year.

Something else I’ve enjoyed being part of is the Mathematically extra-complicated Secret Santa 2025 - see @tom7@mastodon.social’s video here:
https://youtu.be/4pG8_bWpmaE