Mathematics is all around us

You don’t need to enjoy maths – not yet, anyway. This is not about tests and answer sheets but about creating music, breaking codes and understanding the universe. Welcome to a world where maths is fun, creative and even magical.

Here maths is not about tests and answer sheets – instead, you get to build robots, create music, play games, break codes and explore the world together with others. We show you how maths is part of all the things that you like – and how it can be both fun and meaningful.

Mathematics in nature

Nature is full of mathematical patterns. Look at a snowflake, a snail shell or a flower and you will see symmetry and patterns that follow mathematical principles. For example, snail shells often display logarithmical spirals, and some flowers have patterns that follow the Fibonacci sequence of numbers.

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Mathematics + music = true love

Music and mathematics are closely related. Pitch, rhythms and harmonies are all based on mathematical conditions. Even Pythagoras discovered that musical tones could be described with mathematical fractions. By understanding these connections, you can make music using the language of mathematics.

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Fractals – when patterns repeat themselves

A fractal is a geometric shape that continues to repeat itself on an ever-decreasing scale. They are found in mathematics and in nature – for example, in snow crystals and fern leaves. By exploring fractals, you can see how simple rules can create complex and beautiful structures.

Ciphers and espionage

Cryptography – the art of writing and reading secret messages – is an exciting aspect of mathematics. During the Second World War, the Swedish mathematician Arne Beurling successfully decrypted the German Geheimschreiber cipher machine, which marked an important turning point in the war. With us, you can learn the basics of how to create and solve codes.

Mathematics pioneers

Our knowledge of mathematics has evolved throughout history, thanks to the brains of many clever people – from figures from antiquity such as Pythagoras and Euclid to modern pioneers such as Alan Turing, who laid the foundations for computer science. Their discoveries still influence our understanding of the world today.

Here are just a few of the best-known mathematicians in history:

Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) – The first computer programmer and a pioneer in computer science.

Marie-Sophie Germain (1776–1831) – Researched elasticity and number theory.

Emmy Noether (1882–1935) – Founder of Noether’s theorem in physics and mathematics.

Hypatia of Alexandria (circa 360–415) – Philosopher and mathematician, known for her work in geometry and astronomy.

Mária Telkes (1900–1995) – Physicist and mathematician, and a pioneer in thermal energy and solar energy.

Pythagoras (circa 570–495 BCE) – Known for the Pythagorean theorem in geometry.

Euclid (circa 300 BCE) – Founder of modern geometry.

Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) – Known as the “Prince of Mathematics” for his contributions to number theory, geometry and statistics.

Alan Turing (1912–1954) – Founder of modern computer science and creator of the Turing machine.

René Descartes (1596–1650) – Founder of the Cartesian coordinate system and analytical geometry.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tekniska i Tensta, where you will learn completely new ways of understanding mathematics!

Last updated 25 June 2025.