Plus.Maths.org
List by Author: Rachel Thomas
The growth rate of COVID-19 
We all now know about R, but sometimes it can be good to consider another number: the growth rate of an epidemic.
The maths behind combining R ratios 
In a previous article we introduced the problems that can arise when combine the reproduction ratios of a disease in different settings, such as hospitals and the community. In this article we dive into the maths that helps you get to the bottom of these problems.
The problem with combining R ratios 
We explore why you need to be extremely careful when combining the reproduction ratios of a disease in different settings, such as hospitals and the community.
John Conway: Life, the Universe, everything and mathematics 
We reflect on the late John Conway, the thoughts he shared with us over two interviews, and the experience of meeting him as a person and a mathematician.
A call to action on COVID-19 
An urgent call has gone out to the scientific modelling community to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Two Cambridge mathematicians are helping to lead the charge.
Ramanujan: Dream of the possible 
A hundred years ago Ramanujan was elected FRS. Here is a look at the maths that gained him the title.
The Fields Medal 2018: Peter Scholze 
Peter Scholze has received the Fields medal 2018 for transforming arithmetic algebraic geometry.
What can we see? 
Physics is all about observation. But how much can we actually see with the naked eye?
What can we agree to look for? 
The limits to what we can observe are not only a matter of science, but also of politics and economics.
What can science see? 
Observing the smallest building blocks of matter doesn't involve seeing in the ordinary sense.
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle 
There are limits to how much you can simultaneously squeeze the quantum fuzziness of an electron's position and momentum