U3A BRISBANE

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

Term 1 2026

S10 Maths without Equations Ideas not exercises


Tutor: Andrew Macfarlane
Many people who have not studied mathematics confuse it with arithmetic and consider it a dry and boring science. In reality, as observed by Sofia Kovalevskaya 1850-1891, the first woman to become a professor of mathematics (in Stockholm), mathematics is a science which requires a great amount of imagination. This is an approach to mathematics for those for whom "maths" was just arithmetic and more arithmetic, algebra and solving equations. What mathematicians do is utterly different! It is about concepts, weird and fascinating, but often based on solving real problems.
Venue: 97 Creek St
Tuesday 9.00am - 10.15am. Classes start 27 January, finish 31 March.
Cost: $50 (prepaid), 10 weeks
Current Enrolments: 7  (capacity 9)



Class image
Klein Bottle - a one-sided surface
Class image
Klein Bottle - a one-sided surface

About the Tutor:

Andrew Macfarlane started off in mathematics ending with a research masters degree from UNSW.
From there, like many of his generation, he contributed to the computerisation of business in New Zealand and Australia.
For five years he also taught business systems at degree level at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland.
Since retirement he completed a (mathematics) PhD in an area that includes information systems and large-scale concepts
such as cities and governance. He is a great believer in life-long learning.

If you are a U3A Brisbane member you may enrol in this class online using the Enrol button below. You will be asked to provide your membership number and name for identification.


If you wish to obtain further information about this class before enrolling, you may send a message to the tutor using the Send Enquiry Message button below.