Ivars Peterson

All Stories by Ivars Peterson

  1. Math

    Team Mersenne

    The largest known prime number now runs to 9,152,052 decimal digits.

  2. Math

    Light Bulb Puzzles

    Light bulbs and switches combine to present infinite perplexities.

  3. Math

    A Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities

    Physical models of intriguing mathematical objects can add up to an enticing desktop display.

  4. Humans

    Archival Science

    Photos from the Science Service archive at the Smithsonian offer fresh views of the Scopes evolution trial.

  5. Computing

    The Risky Business of Spreadsheet Errors

    Faulty spreadsheets and poor software practices can put businesses at risk.

  6. Math

    Surface Story

    Mathematicians have zeroed in on a new type of minimal surface based on a double helix.

  7. Math

    Parking Space Roulette

    What's the best strategy for finding a good parking spot quickly?

  8. Math

    Rating Researchers

    A physicist has come up with a formula for characterizing a researcher's scientific output.

  9. Math

    Problems to Sharpen the Young

    Medieval brainteasers have kept students and other people puzzled and entertained for centuries.

  10. Math

    Ranking College Football Teams

    Network math leads to an alternative, simpler ranking scheme for college football.

  11. Math

    Climbing a Watery Slope

    A water-walking insect can propel itself up steep, slippery slopes without moving its legs.

  12. Math

    Ask-a-Friend Marketplaces

    If you ask enough friends, paying for answers to questions can help you get the answers you need from a social network.