Add new comment

Permalink Submitted by Thomas G Szymanski on February 21, 2020

They do. The value being plotted is the number of digits in each perfect number, in other words, the y-axis is linear in the log of the number.

Maths in a minute

Want facts and want them fast? Our Maths in a minute series explores key mathematical concepts in just a few words.

Maths in a minute: Social distancing

How should people arrange themselves for maximal socialising at a safe distance?
Myths of maths: The four colour theorem

It's one of mathematics' most famous results: every "map" can be coloured using at most four colours. What it doesn't usually apply to, however, are real maps.
Is life unbounded?

Acknowledging that life is going to go on for a little while yet throws a different light on how we make decisions in a crisis.
Social distancing: How close is safe?

How far can virus-carrying droplets fly in different environments — from buses to supermarkets? Maths can provide some answers.
Artificial intelligence takes on COVID-19

Mathematicians are helping to develop an AI tool to help with diagnosing COVID-19 and making prognoses for infected patients.