Content about “
packing problems

Podcast

Packing spheres

We talk to Maryna Viazovska, who in 2016 made a breakthrough in the theory of sphere packings.
News story

Forever rich

The Eternity puzzle is back with a $2 million prize
Article

Newton and the kissing problem

In 1694, a famous discussion between two of the leading scientists of the day - Isaac Newton and David Gregory - took place on the campus of Cambridge University. The discussion concerned the kissing problem, but it was to be another 260 years before the problem was finally solved.
Article

Prize specimens

Last October, two mathematicians won £1m when it was revealed that they were the first to solve the Eternity jigsaw puzzle. It had taken them six months and a generous helping of mathematical analysis. Mark Wainwright meets the pair and finds out how they did it.
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.