Articles

  • article

    Mathematical mysteries: Goldbach revisited

    Since we first wrote about the Goldbach Conjecture we've had many requests for more information about  it and about how our Goldbach calculator works. We answer some of your questions here but the Goldbach conjecture touches on a strange area of maths that may leave you even more curious than before...

  • article

    Image analysis - a modern application of mathematics

    New technology has provided us with some amazing images - satellite images, medical images, even images beamed back from Mars. Julian Stander tells us about the increasing role of statistics in interpreting them.
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    Designing loudspeakers

    In his second article, David Henwood explains the role of mathematics in the design of Hi-Fi loudspeakers.
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    Natural frequencies and music

    In the first of two articles, David Henwood discusses the vibrations that can be harnessed by musical instrument makers.
  • article

    What a coincidence!

    Coincidences are familiar to us all but what are the so-called laws of chance? From coin tossing to freak weather events, Geoffrey Grimmett explains how probability is at the heart of it all.
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    Coding theory: the first 50 years

    Space probes, like NASA's recent Pathfinder mission to Mars, have radio transmitters of only a few watts, but have to transmit pictures and scientific data across hundreds of millions of miles without the information being completely swamped by noise. Read about how coding theory helps.
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    Editorial

    • The Dearing report
    • Network capacity problem
    • References
  • article

    Mathematical mysteries: Kepler's conjecture

    Sir Walter Raleigh is perhaps best known for laying down his cloak in the mud for Queen Elizabeth I. But, he also started a mathematical quest which to this day remains unsolved.