Articles

Outer space: Some benefits of irrationalityOuter space: How to beat that photocopier
We must know, we will knowRunner up in the general public category. Great minds spark controversy. This is something you'd expect to hear about a great philosopher or artist, but not about a mathematician. Get ready to bin your stereotypes as Rebecca Morris describes some controversial ideas of the great mathematician David Hilbert.
Outer space: Bridging that gapHow to keep up the suspense
If you can't bend it, model it!Learn about the aerodynamics of footballs and perfect your free kick.
Unveiling the Mandelbrot setYou've probably seen pictures of the famed Mandelbrot set and its mysterious cousins, the Julia sets. In this article Robert L. Devaney explores the maths behind these beauties and shows that they're loaded with mathematical meaning.
Defying gravity: The uphill rollerWhat goes up must come down — or does it? Find out how to cheat gravity with Julian Havil.
Music and Euclid's algorithmWhat does a mathematician from the 3rd century BC have to do with tuning musical instruments in 17th century Europe? Benjamin Wardhaugh tells us about one of the more unusual places you might find Euclid's algorithm being used.
Graphical methods III: the slugs bounce backIn the last article of this three-part series, Phil Wilson shows how simple graphs can tell you a lot about the economy — and not only in Slugworld.
Editorial
  • The Fields Medals: Maths in the media
  • Plus new writers award: last chance to enter
  • Readers' corner: Why is nim easy and chess hard?
The Fields Medals 2006The highest honour in maths has been awarded to four mathematicians