# The Flying Colours Maths Blog: Latest posts

## Ask Uncle Colin: Dividing by halves

Dear Uncle Colin, Why is dividing by a half the same as doubling? - How Arithmetic Leverages Fractions Hi, HALF, and thanks for your message! I’m going to give a couple of reasons: first, the algebra of it, then the logic. Algebra Let’s set this up as $\frac{x}{\br{\frac{1}{2}}} = y$

## The Dictionary of Mathematical Eponymy: The MacWilliams Identity

After the Second World War, there was a boom in the study of transmitting encoded data. In likelihood, I imagine the boom started earlier, and the boom was more about the declassified publication of papers on this topic than about a sudden increase in productivity. This month’s mathematical hero, Jessie

## Ask Uncle Colin: Laying Bricks

Dear Uncle Colin, I have a question I can’t make sense of: “It takes 3 bricklayers four hours to lay 4200 bricks. How long would it take 2 bricklayers to lay 3150 bricks?” I can never figure out when to multiply and when to divide! Markscheme Obtusely Recommends Taking A