An Ancient Art Form Topples Assumptions about Mathematics
The sand drawings of Vanuatu follow principles from a branch of mathematics known as graph theory
Math
Is the Lottery Ever a Good Bet?
The surprisingly subtle math behind the Powerball and Mega Millions
Simple Formula Makes Prime Numbers Easy, but a Million-Dollar Mystery Remains
A generator equation can spit out many prime numbers, but it leaves important mathematical questions unanswered
Could Math Design the Perfect Electoral System?
Graphics reveal the intricate math behind ranked choice voting and how to design the best electoral system, sometimes with bizarre outcomes
All Natural Numbers Are Either Happy or Sad. Some Are Narcissistic, Too
The number 1 is among the happiest numbers, 4 is sad, and both are narcissistic
A Married Bachelor Proves That Unicorns Exist
The “principle of explosion” explains why a single contradiction would destroy math
How Mathematical Objects Are like People and Other Mysteries of Intersection Theory
A Q&A with Hannah Larson, a recipient of the 2024 Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize
How Warren Buffett Rigged a Dice Game with Bill Gates
Weird math can explain why Warren Buffett had the advantage in a dice game against Bill Gates
Life-Changing Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Wins $3-Million Breakthrough Prize
A trio of scientists who developed the combination drug Trikafta are among the winners of five major awards in life sciences, physics and mathematics
Mathematicians Think Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious ‘Line’ City Should Be a Circle
Despite efforts to make a planned city in the Saudi Arabian desert sustainable, its layout could create problems
Mathematician Solves 50-Year-Old Möbius Strip Puzzle
A trapezoid was key to discovering the elusive answer to a riddle about Möbius strips
Candy Crush Is Complicated—Even from a Mathematical Point of View
Don’t be annoyed if you fail at a certain level of the popular game Candy Crush Saga; computers also have their problems with it