Mathematician Vanessa Madu reveals the intriguing story behind the International Date Line—why it zigzags so unexpectedly across the Pacific instead of running straight. This family-friendly talk combines mathematics, geography and history to explain how keeping time on a spinning globe becomes far more complicated than drawing a simple line on a map.
Discover why the Date Line exists, how centuries of history and geopolitics have shaped its peculiar path, and the surprising mathematical quirk that means three different calendar days can happen simultaneously for two hours each day. Blending mathematical curiosity with human decision-making, this engaging presentation unveils the hidden complexity behind something most of us take for granted.
Designed for children aged 7–13 and adults to enjoy together, though audiences of all ages are welcome.
