British Universities Film & Video Council

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Topological Surfaces

Synopsis
Why is it ridiculous to draw a map of the earth on a torus (the surface of a solid ring)? The earth is not a perfect sphere, yet a map drawn on a perfect sphere is acceptable. Shows that there are an infinite number of such topological classes of surface, but that this classification is based on three very intuitive characteristics: number of boundaries, Euler characteristics and orientability. The first two of these characteristics (or invariants) are analysed, using a variety of surfaces and diagrams.
Series
Studies in Pure Mathematics, Course M235
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.
Year of production
1984
Availability
OUT OF DISTRIBUTION
Subjects
Mathematics
Keywords
surfaces; topology

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web
http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 1908 274066
Address
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes
NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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