Articles

Maths in a minute: Flipping pancakes

In time for pancake day here's a problem about flipping pancakes. It turns out to be surprisingly hard.

Our theory of very nearly everything: gravity

What is everything made of? In the final article in this series, Elias Gårding takes us to the very edge of our current knowledge.

Our theory of very nearly everything: quantum fields

What is everything made of? In the third article in this series, Elias Gårding takes us down the QFT rabbit hole.

Our theory of very nearly everything: matter and forces

What is everything made of? In the second article in this series, Elias Gårding reveals the equation that captures (almost) all the known laws of nature.

Our theory of very nearly everything: the particles

What is everything made of? Elias Gårding begins a fascinating series of articles that will tell you everything we currently know about the answer to this question.

The selfish herd

From flocks of starlings to spiral galaxies: this article explores examples of emergent phenomena in nature.

Cellular automata

Find out how a square grid and some simple rules can generate complex patterns and life-like behaviour.

The dynamics of crowds

Human beings are wilful and don't always act rationally. Yet, mathematical models of the behaviour of crowds are surprisingly accurate.

Maths in a minute: Equal temperatures

At any point in time there are two points on the Earth's equator with the same temperature.

Inspired by the spirit of Ramanujan

Are you an emerging engineer, mathematician or scientist who doesn't have the support of a school, university, or other research organisation? Then the Spirit of Ramanujan project might be able to help.

Ramanujan: Dream of the possible

A hundred years ago Ramanujan was elected FRS. Here is a look at the maths that gained him the title.

Maths in a minute: Higher dimensions

In normal life higher dimensions smack of science fiction, but in mathematics they are nothing out of the ordinary.