Interview with Pat Symonds
Why are maths and physics worthwhile subjects to study?
They are the basis of nature but the understanding of them is fundamental to manipulating what is natural to improve the quality of life of the human race.
What is your favourite equation and why?
The one that calculates my pay cheque!
How did you feel about maths and physics as a child?
I always enjoyed physics and even at primary school found that the elements of science lessons that pertained to physics were the most interesting. I used to devour any literature that helped explained physical phenomena in a way a child could understand. My relationship with maths was much more of a love hate relationship. I enjoyed applied maths but was always frustrated by the abstract nature of pure maths. In reality, my interest in maths varied in proportion to the quality of the teacher at any particular time.
How has your view about them changed over the years?
My love of physics has remained unchanged but I now find even the abstract parts of maths more enjoyable. In fact I would go as far as to say I have a definite interest in the history of maths and some of the more obscure theories!
How important are maths and physics in your field of work and how often do you use them?
It is interesting that these days many people feel that proprietary computer programmes are so prolific that knowledge of mathematics is no longer required. This is absolutely not true. What is true is that the important knowledge now is the principles of maths rather than mathematical skills. If first principles and the limitations of certain techniques, are not understood then serious mistakes can be made and equally new methodologies will not be developed.
How did you start/end up working within the Motorsport industry?
I joined the motorsport industry as soon as I left Cranfield. At the time I did not consider I would still be in it all these years later but the industry and the profession have grown in a way that has allowed me to remain in it as a life long career.
How would it have affected your career if you didn't have maths and physics skills?
I have needed to develop myself as a multi-disciplined engineer as this is the only way to get to the top and be able to manage specialists. I could not have done this without a good grounding in the first principles of maths and physics.
How essential are the skills of maths and physics to careers within Motorsport?
As essential as in any branch of engineering and that means of prime importance. It is not coincidence that engineering degrees require maths and physics 'A' levels.
Can you give an example where you have used maths and or physics in Motorsports in an interesting, exciting and/or fun way?
In the early days of electronic control systems such as active suspension and 4 wheel steer we had to accurately model the response of our systems in a mathematical model to ensure that they were safe and stable. This involved understanding the physics and then being able to write sets of differential equations to turn that physics into a form that could be solved by computers.
Which physics equation in your opinion is the most important?
F = ma
The basis of all dynamics