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What would you like to know about your universe?

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Andy Green is gearing up to break the land speed record in his rocket powered car Bloodhound SSC

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September 2009
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6174

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6174 is a very mysterious number. Yutaka Nishiyama explains why, and how beautiful mathematical oddities can inspire us to discover new mathematics.

Tags: number theory : sequence : Kaprekar's operation : kernel : 6174


In this issue we venture to the very extremes of human experience. We explore the life and work of Kurt Gödel, who would have turned a hundred this year, and who stunned the maths world by pinning down the limits of logic. We tremble with NASA astronaut Michael Foale, as he tells us of a space odyssey that depended on three little equations. We map out the future of life after Armageddon. And we find out what on Earth to do with a group.

Tags: 6174 : mathematics in sport : football : Plus new writers award