Tom Button
@tombutton.bsky.social
Director for Data Science and Mathematics Technology at MEI - interested in using technology for learning maths, #ALevelMaths and #DataScienceEd - all views are my own or someone else's
It's done! And ahead of schedule... (for once!)
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
December 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Reposted by Tom Button
It's done! And ahead of schedule... (for once!)
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
December 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
It's done! And ahead of schedule... (for once!)
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from
www.risps.co.uk
and from Payhip.
payhip.com/b/RGKPF
An early Ch-risp-mas present?
With best wishes of the season,
Jonny
Reposted by Tom Button
without the vital typo this time (sorry)
New Pearson A Level Maths Command Words document
tinyurl.com/ymk35ey7
and find the other exam boards at
b.link/commandwords
Good for GCSE too
New Pearson A Level Maths Command Words document
tinyurl.com/ymk35ey7
and find the other exam boards at
b.link/commandwords
Good for GCSE too
December 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Controversial opinion:
I think "Math" sounds better than "Maths", even though I'm British. The "th" followed by "s" sound is really clumsy.
I think "Math" sounds better than "Maths", even though I'm British. The "th" followed by "s" sound is really clumsy.
December 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Controversial opinion:
I think "Math" sounds better than "Maths", even though I'm British. The "th" followed by "s" sound is really clumsy.
I think "Math" sounds better than "Maths", even though I'm British. The "th" followed by "s" sound is really clumsy.
Reposted by Tom Button
Don’t miss out on your chance to apply for a bursary to attend the MEI Conference 2026. Two bursaries available!
Deadline: 31 Dec 2025
Apply now: buff.ly/eP4NZ46
#MEIConf26 #Bursary #SciStudio
Deadline: 31 Dec 2025
Apply now: buff.ly/eP4NZ46
#MEIConf26 #Bursary #SciStudio
December 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Don’t miss out on your chance to apply for a bursary to attend the MEI Conference 2026. Two bursaries available!
Deadline: 31 Dec 2025
Apply now: buff.ly/eP4NZ46
#MEIConf26 #Bursary #SciStudio
Deadline: 31 Dec 2025
Apply now: buff.ly/eP4NZ46
#MEIConf26 #Bursary #SciStudio
Christmas tree with flashing lights in @desmos.com : www.desmos.com/calculator/w...
Decorated Christmas tree
www.desmos.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Christmas tree with flashing lights in @desmos.com : www.desmos.com/calculator/w...
Reposted by Tom Button
Some quotes from teachers on the AMSP 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' course:
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
December 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Some quotes from teachers on the AMSP 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' course:
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
Reposted by Tom Button
How would you explain why this works to a 5-year-old? Please ELI5 - explain like I'm five! #iTeachMath #MathChat
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
How would you explain why this works to a 5-year-old? Please ELI5 - explain like I'm five! #iTeachMath #MathChat
"τ is the hipster circle constant"
It's the second math(s) thing that's made me chuckle today - the first being "chi-squared goddess of fit tests" from @maria-naturalmath.bsky.social
It's the second math(s) thing that's made me chuckle today - the first being "chi-squared goddess of fit tests" from @maria-naturalmath.bsky.social
-8+e+τ = 1.0014671356386309,
where e is Euler's number,
τ is the hipster circle constant.
Today = 12/12 = 1
error = 0.1467%
where e is Euler's number,
τ is the hipster circle constant.
Today = 12/12 = 1
error = 0.1467%
December 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"τ is the hipster circle constant"
It's the second math(s) thing that's made me chuckle today - the first being "chi-squared goddess of fit tests" from @maria-naturalmath.bsky.social
It's the second math(s) thing that's made me chuckle today - the first being "chi-squared goddess of fit tests" from @maria-naturalmath.bsky.social
Some quotes from teachers on the AMSP 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' course:
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
December 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Some quotes from teachers on the AMSP 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' course:
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"
You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
Reposted by Tom Button
Bookings for the AMSP spring term 'Maths into Data Science and AI' for students not studying A level Maths will close tomorrow.
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Bookings for the AMSP spring term 'Maths into Data Science and AI' for students not studying A level Maths will close tomorrow.
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
Reposted by Tom Button
One of the really frustrating things about the current situation is how 'AI' has become more or less synonymous with 'LLM'.
December 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
One of the really frustrating things about the current situation is how 'AI' has become more or less synonymous with 'LLM'.
These type of stories are so important to emphasise that AI built on machine learning is so much bigger than large language models
Zanskar uses AI to identify hidden geothermal systems—and claims it has found one that could fuel a power plant, the first such discovery by industry in decades. www.wired.com/story/startu...
A Startup Says It Has Found a Hidden Source of Geothermal Energy
Zanskar uses AI to identify hidden geothermal systems—and claims it has found one that could fuel a power plant, the first such discovery by industry in decades.
www.wired.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
These type of stories are so important to emphasise that AI built on machine learning is so much bigger than large language models
Reposted by Tom Button
This AI = machine learning. Basically, Zanskar trains AI models on huge volumes of satellite and geological data (etc.) to narrow down candidate geothermal sites.
A great example of AI that's nothing to do with large language models / chatbots.
A great example of AI that's nothing to do with large language models / chatbots.
Zanskar uses AI to identify hidden geothermal systems—and claims it has found one that could fuel a power plant, the first such discovery by industry in decades. www.wired.com/story/startu...
A Startup Says It Has Found a Hidden Source of Geothermal Energy
Zanskar uses AI to identify hidden geothermal systems—and claims it has found one that could fuel a power plant, the first such discovery by industry in decades.
www.wired.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This AI = machine learning. Basically, Zanskar trains AI models on huge volumes of satellite and geological data (etc.) to narrow down candidate geothermal sites.
A great example of AI that's nothing to do with large language models / chatbots.
A great example of AI that's nothing to do with large language models / chatbots.
Bookings for the AMSP spring term 'Maths into Data Science and AI' for students not studying A level Maths will close tomorrow.
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Bookings for the AMSP spring term 'Maths into Data Science and AI' for students not studying A level Maths will close tomorrow.
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.
amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
Reposted by Tom Button
We've had lots of interest in the 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 AM
We've had lots of interest in the 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
Reposted by Tom Button
Because integration isn't reverse differentiation, integration is area. And to find an area, the function has to be well-behaved (technically, integrable) across an interval. So if we know its value at a point, to know it at any other point we need it to be integrable on the interval between them.
November 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Because integration isn't reverse differentiation, integration is area. And to find an area, the function has to be well-behaved (technically, integrable) across an interval. So if we know its value at a point, to know it at any other point we need it to be integrable on the interval between them.
We've had lots of interest in the 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 AM
We've had lots of interest in the 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science
Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
Reposted by Tom Button
I know this one is maybe a bit "ooh, look at me, I'm so clever", but -i really bothers me. The fact that we define one number to be the square root of -1, and then define another number to be the negative of it, despite it having exactly the same properties, that just niggles the hell out of me.
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I know this one is maybe a bit "ooh, look at me, I'm so clever", but -i really bothers me. The fact that we define one number to be the square root of -1, and then define another number to be the negative of it, despite it having exactly the same properties, that just niggles the hell out of me.
Reposted by Tom Button
From 1st December we become the Association for Mathematics in Education (AMiE).
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow: @amiemathematics.bsky.social
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow: @amiemathematics.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
From 1st December we become the Association for Mathematics in Education (AMiE).
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow: @amiemathematics.bsky.social
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow: @amiemathematics.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Button
From 1st December we become the Association for Mathematics in Education (AMiE).
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow:
@amiemathematics.bsky.social
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow:
@amiemathematics.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
From 1st December we become the Association for Mathematics in Education (AMiE).
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow:
@amiemathematics.bsky.social
This account will no longer be used.
Please follow:
@amiemathematics.bsky.social
In differential equations I've always taught that the particular solution is only valid for the branch the point is on
eg for dy/dx=1/x² the partic soln thro' (1,0) is y=1-1/x (x>0)
x<0 is not included
I've never liked my explanation of why. Does anyone have a good one for #ALevelMaths students?
eg for dy/dx=1/x² the partic soln thro' (1,0) is y=1-1/x (x>0)
x<0 is not included
I've never liked my explanation of why. Does anyone have a good one for #ALevelMaths students?
November 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
In differential equations I've always taught that the particular solution is only valid for the branch the point is on
eg for dy/dx=1/x² the partic soln thro' (1,0) is y=1-1/x (x>0)
x<0 is not included
I've never liked my explanation of why. Does anyone have a good one for #ALevelMaths students?
eg for dy/dx=1/x² the partic soln thro' (1,0) is y=1-1/x (x>0)
x<0 is not included
I've never liked my explanation of why. Does anyone have a good one for #ALevelMaths students?
Reposted by Tom Button
Santa Claus is a woman. Always has been. (Always will be?)
on.ft.com/43POQET
on.ft.com/43POQET
Santa Claus is still a woman
[FREE TO READ] There is something particularly stubborn about gender roles at Christmas
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Santa Claus is a woman. Always has been. (Always will be?)
on.ft.com/43POQET
on.ft.com/43POQET
Reposted by Tom Button
Is anyone else heading to the Further Mathematics Conference in London today? I’m looking forward to a day out of college doing #ALevelMaths!
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Is anyone else heading to the Further Mathematics Conference in London today? I’m looking forward to a day out of college doing #ALevelMaths!
If you're interested in:
- The Maths behind machine learning and AI
- Integrating these ideas into teaching #ALevelMaths
- Improving your skills in using technology for data
… sign-up to our teacher course amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
and there's £350 for your school if you attend the study day!
- The Maths behind machine learning and AI
- Integrating these ideas into teaching #ALevelMaths
- Improving your skills in using technology for data
… sign-up to our teacher course amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
and there's £350 for your school if you attend the study day!
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
If you're interested in:
- The Maths behind machine learning and AI
- Integrating these ideas into teaching #ALevelMaths
- Improving your skills in using technology for data
… sign-up to our teacher course amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
and there's £350 for your school if you attend the study day!
- The Maths behind machine learning and AI
- Integrating these ideas into teaching #ALevelMaths
- Improving your skills in using technology for data
… sign-up to our teacher course amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
and there's £350 for your school if you attend the study day!