# The maths of pylon, art galleries and prisons under the spotlight

- Institution: Gresham College
- Speaker: Professor John D Barrow FRS
- Year: 2009
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Mathematics
- Source: [Gresham College](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/maths-pylon-art-galleries-and-prisons-under-spotlight)
- Licence: [Educational use (Gresham College's terms)](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/terms-and-conditions)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Some mathematics of straight lines. Why are electricity pylons made of triangular patterns of struts? Rigid shapes and flexible shapes. What is the smallest number of attendants you need to watch all the paintings on the wall of an art gallery of any shape with straight walls, and any number of rooms? What if the attendants move around? What is the smallest number of cameras you need to watch the outside walls of a prison? What is the smallest number of spotlights needed to illuminate a stage of any size?

## Lectures

1. [The maths of pylon, art galleries and prisons under the spotlight](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/gresham/maths-pylon-art-galleries-and-prisons-under-spotlight/e2eede30e41b) (YouTube)