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. From symmetry to Euclid's axioms, and from binary numbers to the prosecutor's fallacy, learn some maths without too much effort.

Maths in a minute: Lattices

A lattice may seem like a simple regular grid of points, but it leads to fascinating new research in maths and cryptography!

Maths in a minute: Cryptography

Ingenious maths keeps your credit card details safe when you shop online and underlies the security of the internet.  Find out how in this easy introduction.

Maths in a minute: Diffusion

Whenever you smell the lovely smell of fresh coffee or drop a tea bag into hot water you're benefiting from diffusion. Find a quick introduction to the concept here.

Maths in a minute: Random walks

Random walks are great for modelling anything that moves, from particles to people. They're also fun, versatile and beautiful!

Maths in a minute: Conway's Game of Life

Even simple rules can lead to interesting processes. Play with Conway's famous cellular automaton to see life-like patterns unfold. 

Maths in a minute: Branching processes

Worried about your population of bugs? A branching process can help you understand it.

Maths in a Minute: Group actions

What exactly do we mean when we say group theory is the study of symmetry? Group actions make precise what it means for a group to act by symmetries on an object.

Maths in a minute: Partition functions

How many ways can you write a number as the sum of smaller numbers?  

Maths in a minute: Stochastic gradient descent

How does artificial intelligence manage to produce reliable outputs? Stochastic gradient descent has the answer!

Maths in a minute: PolynomialsCreep up on polynomials with this quick introduction.
Maths in a minute: Algebraic varietiesExplore the wonderful world where geometry meets algebra.
Maths in a minute: The SIR modelFind out the basics of the SIR model, the basis most disease modellers use to understand the spread of a disease through a population.