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.

Random surfaces help reveal the secrets of the Universe

Find out how random shapes shed light on one of the hardest problems in physics.

Maths in a minute: The Poincaré conjecture

We explore a famous problem which shaped 20th century topology. 

Maths in a minute: What types of numbers are there?

We take it back to the basics by looking at some favourite number families — from natural to irrational and from prime to complex.

Maths in a minute: Hypothesis testing

How can statistics help us to make informed decisions. Find out with this brief explanation of hypothesis testing?

Maths in a minute: Invariants

What are mathematical invariants and why are they useful?

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.