Basic Maths
Basic Maths is an ITV schools TV series from the 1980s, covering Mathematics for primary school pupils.
A mathematical magazine for junior pupils, developed from the earlier series Leapfrog and sharing many ideas and film sequences in common with its predecessor, but with two relatively conventional presenters, Fred Harris and Mary Waterhouse, who talk to each other and the audience.
The programmes aimed to systematically build up viewers' knowledge of number bonds and number patterns, and provide pictures to help them to visualise and understand abstract mathematical ideas. There were recurring items across several episodes such as animations showing grouping and pattern making, times tables, abacus counting and basic algebra.
In the studio Mary and Fred try out games which could be continued in the classroom, discuss solutions, sing songs, and use TV camera tricks to illustrate different topics.
Episodes
| # | Title | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lines 1 | 22 Sep 1981 |
| 2. | Lines 2 | 29 Sep 1981 |
| 3. | Grouping and Counting | 6 Oct 1981 |
| 4. | Number | 13 Oct 1981 |
| 5. | Mirrors | 20 Oct 1981 |
| 6. | Pattern 1 | 3 Nov 1981 |
| 7. | Paths 1 | 10 Nov 1981 |
| 8. | Time | 17 Nov 1981 |
| 9. | Five | 24 Nov 1981 |
| 10. | Images | 1 Dec 1981 |
| 11. | Tiling | 19 Jan 1982 |
| 12. | Overlaps | 26 Jan 1982 |
| 13. | Ten | 2 Feb 1982 |
| 14. | Shadows | 9 Feb 1982 |
| 15. | Pattern 2 | 16 Feb 1982 |
| 16. | Paths 2 | 2 Mar 1982 |
| 17. | Transformation | 9 Mar 1982 |
| 18. | Points of View | 16 Mar 1982 |
| 19. | Growth | 23 Mar 1982 |
| 20. | What If...? | 30 Mar 1982 |
| 21. | Odds and Evens | 4 May 1982 |
| 22. | Combining | 11 May 1982 |
| 23. | Large Numbers | 18 May 1982 |
| 24. | Rules | 25 May 1982 |
| 25. | Area | 8 Jun 1982 |
| 26. | Surfaces | 15 Jun 1982 |
| 27. | Pendulums | 22 Jun 1982 |
| 28. | Summer | 29 Jun 1982 |
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More Programmes
Some random programmes for age 7-9 from the 1980s
| Home Ground | |
| BBC Schools TV | |
| 1984-1989 | |
| Geography |
| Maths Songbook | |
| BBC Schools Radio | |
| 1982-1983 | |
| Mathematics |
| Going Places | |
| ITV Schools | |
| 1984-1991 | |
| Geography |
| Green Peas and Barley O | |
| BBC Schools TV | |
| 1977-1984 | |
| Miscellany |
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