"Every summer, scores of tourists take to the bustling streets of Barcelona, a city known for its breathtaking architecture. Nicolas Atanes Santos, a young Spanish mathematician, sees this as an opportunity to engage more people in his favorite subject. In partnership with the regional government of Catalonia, Mr. Santos created what he calls math trails, self-guided walking tours for visitors to explore landmarks of different Spanish cities, one math problem at a time."
"Mathematics is used in architecture for both function and design. Trigonometry helps calculate angles and heights. Symmetry creates proportion and balance. Geometry brings shape and form to life. For Mr. Santos, math can also inspire ideas about structures that have already been built a new way to see and appreciate the world. Inspired by this idea, The New York Times created a virtual tour of some of the most striking architecture in Barcelona, a city where math and exploration meet."
"His walking tours are a part of a personal mission to bring math to the streets, a response to the broad distaste he perceives for his field of study. People are often afraid of mathematics, Mr. Santos said. They remember nothing but the stress of learning things they couldn't see practical applications for. Or they find it boring and mechanical, he explained, consisting only of formulas to memorize."
A young Spanish mathematician partnered with the regional government of Catalonia to create math trails: self-guided walking tours that present one math problem at each landmark across Spanish cities. The trails use architectural features and mathematical disciplines — trigonometry for angles and heights, symmetry for proportion and balance, and geometry for shape — to reveal practical applications. The routes aim to counter fear and boredom toward mathematics by offering visual, puzzle-based experiences in public spaces. The project covers Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona, and Tortosa and includes virtual tours highlighting striking architecture.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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