A Brief History of Mathematics - Georg Cantor

This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus du Sautoy shows how these masters of abstraction find a role in the real world and proves that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science.

Today, Georg Cantor, the mathematician who showed us how to carry on counting when the numbers run out. An insight into the nature of infinity that Roger Penrose believes helps to explain why the human brain will always be cleverer than artificial intelligence.

Producer: Anna Buckley

From 2010.

Published on Thursday, 30th September 2010.

Available Podcasts from A Brief History of Mathematics

Subscribe to A Brief History of Mathematics

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the A Brief History of Mathematics webpage.