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Maths in a minute: The square root of 2 is irrational
Here's one of the most elegant proofs in all of maths. Rejoice in its simplicity!
Article
Maths in a minute: Maths and communication
A quick look at the role of mathematics in communication — from making and breaking codes to making sure messages arrive intact.
Article
The happy ending problem
So easy to describe, yet so hard to prove.
News story
Some like it hot
Clever geometry produces materials that shrink when heated.
Article
The mathematics of kindness
If only the fittest survive, how can we explain the evolution of altruism? Mathematics has some answers.
News story
Election maths
The US election circus is in full swing. Here's a dose of election maths to help you through.
Article
Maths in a minute: False positives
Why a positive test result doesn't necessarily mean you have the disease.
News story
Cut your cake and eat it (eventually)
Computer scientists have made a breakthrough in the theory of cake cutting.
Article
Not just a matter of time: Measuring complexity
Are there problems computers will never be able to solve, no matter how powerful they become?
Article
Not just a matter of time: The halting problem
In the 1930s Alan Turing discovered a computer program that is logically impossible. What other limits are there to computation?
Article
Not just a matter of time: The busy beaver
Journey to the limits of computation with a number that's easy to describe but can't be calculated.
Article
Maths in a minute: How many primes?
Here's the ancient proof that there are infinitely many prime numbers.