Math

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Math

    Coins in a Row

    A simple game involving coins in a row has unexpected complexities.

    By Ivars Peterson
  2. Math

    Works in Progress

    Studying math in school doesn't often give you a sense of what mathematical research is about.

    By Ivars Peterson
  3. Math

    Classroom Birthdays

    What's the probability of finding matching birthdays in a small group?

    By Ivars Peterson
  4. Math

    Captcha the Puzzle

    A computer creates a test that it can't pass but most people can.

    By Ivars Peterson
  5. Math

    Paper Enigma

    The enigma machine was used by Germany during World War II to encrypt and decrypt messages. Created by Mike Koss, the plans and detailed instructions offered on these Web pages allow you to build your own fully functioning, paper version of this infamous machine. Go to: http://mckoss.com/Crypto/Enigma.htm

    By Science News
  6. Math

    Navigating Celestial Currents

    Mathematicians are creating an atlas of solar system highways along which spacecraft can coast using no fuel.

    By Erica Klarreich
  7. Math

    Sosa’s Corked Bat

    Does Sammy Sosa's hitting reveal a corked-bat effect?

    By Ivars Peterson
  8. Math

    Manuscripts as Fossils

    A new mathematical model estimates how many medieval manuscripts have survived to the present.

    By Erica Klarreich
  9. Math

    Sea Shell Spirals

    The golden ratio doesn't figure into the spiral structure of the chambered nautilus shell.

    By Ivars Peterson
  10. Math

    New largest prime discovered

    Computers have discovered a new largest prime number with a whopping 7,816,230 digits.

    By Erica Klarreich
  11. Math

    Fibonacci’s Other Numbers

    Arrays of whole numbers can give intriguing sums.

    By Ivars Peterson
  12. Math

    Primal Surge

    The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search has netted its eighth champion.

    By Ivars Peterson