There’s a surprisingly straightforward answer to how many numbers are needed to fill an infinite grid…
Author: Kevin Hartnett
Your Brain Uses Calculus to Control Fast Movements
To sharpen its command over precise maneuvers, the brain uses comparisons between control signals—not the signals…
The Mystery at the Heart of Physics—That Only Math Can Solve
The full picture of quantum field theory has long eluded physicists. Calling in mathematicians will have…
The Effort to Build the Mathematical Library of the Future
A community of mathematicians is using software called Lean to build a new digital repository. They…
A Fleet of Computers Helps Settle a 90-Year-Old Math Problem
By translating Ott-Heinrich Keller’s conjecture into a computer-friendly search, researchers confirmed a conjecture about seven-dimensional space.
The Tricky Math of Herd Immunity for Covid-19
When will a disease stop spreading through a population? The formula is simple, but the variables…
In Lockdown, Mathematicians ***** a Stubborn Geometry Riddle
The rectangular peg problem asks a seemingly simple question: Does a closed loop include the corners…
The Legacy of Math Luminary John Conway, Lost to Covid-19
Conway, who passed away on April 11, was known for his rapid computation, his playful approach,…
A Computer Science Proof Holds Answers for Math and Physics
An advance in our understanding of quantum computing offers stunning solutions to problems that have long…
The Universal Law of Turbulence Isn’t So Unruly After All
By exploiting randomness, mathematicians have proved an elegant law that underlies the motion of rushing rivers…