Dara Ó Briain: School of Hard Sums — Season 1
About this season
Dara Ó Briain: School of Hard Sums is a British comedy game show about the subject of mathematics and it is based on the Japanese show Comaneci University Mathematics. The programme is broadcast on Dave and is presented by Dara Ó Briain and starred Marcus du Sautoy. Each episode was themed and Ó Briain, along with a guest or guests, attempted to solve various conundrums set by du Sautoy. At the end of each episode, Ó Briain sets homework questions for viewers; the answers can be checked on the show's website.
Episodes (8)
1. The Mathematics of Positioning
Aired 16 April 2012 • 45 min
Comedian and mathematical physics graduate Dara O'Briain takes a humorous look at how maths underpins everything around us, solving problems using only numbers and equations. This week's guest is David O'Doherty.
2. Location Location Maths
Aired 23 April 2012 • 45 min
Dara O'Briain continues on his journey into the realms of pure logic. Once again he's helped by Oxford University maths professor Marcus du Sautoy and is joined by comedy guest Alex Horne.
3. How Maths Can Stop You Getting Screwed
Aired 30 April 2012 • 45 min
Dara O'Briain takes a witty look at how maths underpins everything around us. Dara takes on comic Jason Byrne in a problem-solving challenge.
4. You Can't Argue With Logic
Aired 7 May 2012 • 45 min
Brains and brawn go head to head once again as Dara O'Briain presents the light-hearted science show. Taking up Dara's problem-solving challenge here is Andi Osho.
5. The Maths of Italian Restaurants
Aired 14 May 2012 • 45 min
Dara's back, proving again that mathematics can save the day in almost any circumstance. This week the Mock The Week host tackles problems that you might come across in an Italian restaurant. Comedian David O'Doherty is on hand to help with the puzzles, all set by the fiendishly logical, Oxford university professor, Marcus du Sautoy. The first conundrum comes from counting dough balls. When the menu offers a choice of 6, 9 or 20 dough balls, Marcus wants to know the largest amount of dough balls that cannot be ordered.
6. How Maths Saves Lives
Aired 21 May 2012 • 45 min
7. Finding Your Way with Maths
Aired 28 May 2012 • 45 min
8. The Maths of Sport
Aired 4 June 2012 • 45 min