Math Trek

  1. Math

    Mayan Mars

    The curiously looping movements of the planets relative to the stars have presented all sorts of puzzles to keen, patient observers of the night sky. In 1601, Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) undertook the challenge of deciphering the orbit of Mars and developing a mathematical theory of its motion to fit observations of the planet’s changing position […]

    By Ivars Peterson
  2. Math

    Quirky Video Poker

    The lure of easy money brings gullible bettors back again and again to the game of video poker–an immensely popular pastime in casinos and other gambling venues throughout the United States. Most players are bound to lose money, says Todd D. Mateer, a recent graduate of Clemson University, who has studied video poker machines in […]

    By Ivars Peterson
  3. Math

    Appealing Numbers

    The ancient Greeks, especially the Pythagoreans, were fascinated by whole numbers.