Math Trek

  1. Math

    A Prayer for Archimedes

    A long-lost work by Archimedes shows his subtle grasp of the notion of infinity, and how close he was to developing calculus.

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  2. Math

    Beating the Bush for Patterns

    Across some arid landscapes, sparse vegetation grows in fractal patterns that hold clues to its resilience.

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  3. Math

    The Essence of Group Conflict

    Eruptions of open conflict between ethnic or religious groups have a lot to do with the way communities are geographically distributed.

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  4. Math

    Separate Is Never Equal

    Economic forces alone can explain why social segregation leads to inequalities in wealth and achievement.

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  5. Math

    May the Best Team Win

    In sports leagues and playoffs, the strongest teams often don't triumph, but redesigning the schedule of games can improve their chances.

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  6. Math

    Kidney Matchmaking

    A mathematical optimization strategy for pairing patients who need kidneys with willing donors could increase the number and quality of transplants.

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  7. Computing

    Squashing Worms

    Defeating computer worms that mutate will take some smart defense strategies.

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  8. Math

    Calculating the Word Spurt

    Mathematics, not brain development, explains why toddlers begin to pick up words quickly after a slow start.

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  9. Math

    Cracking the Cube

    A combination of mathematical analysis and supercomputer number-crunching proves that any Rubik's Cube can be solved in 26 moves or fewer.

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  10. Computing

    Cloudy Crystal Balls

    Computer programs that model climate may be so complex that global warming predictions will never settle on a single, definitive answer.

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  11. Math

    A Twist on the Möbius Band

    The twisted, single-sided loop known as a Möbius band, when made from a stiff material such as paper, takes on a complicated shape that researchers have finally calculated.

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  12. Math

    Math as a Civil Right

    A longtime activist in the civil rights movement now teaches that mathematical literacy is the key to full participation in the country's economy.

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