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: Homotopy

The concept of homotopy is a great example of how the language of maths can make intuition precise.

Maths in a minute: Peano arithmetic

How would you explain the natural numbers to an alien devoid of a number instinct? You could try Peano arithmetic...

Maths in a minute: Thermodynamics

Tea gone cold? Don't worry, you can cheer yourself up with the theory of thermodynamics.

Maths in a minute: Numerical weather prediction

How does your phone know what the weather's going to be like?

Maths in a minute: Correlation versus causation

Wet cats don't cause umbrellas and umbrellas don't cause wet cats.

Maths in a minute: Percentage error

How good is your estimate?

Maths in a minute: Dispersion

If you've ever marvelled at a rainbow, you have witnessed dispersion in action!

Maths in a minute: Combinatorics

Whether you want to understand viruses, win at lotto or solve a rubik's cube – you'll need some help from combinatorics.

Maths in a minute: Utility theory

A hundred pounds is a lot more to someone who's poor than to a millionaire. But how do you measure such differences? Utility theory has the answer.

Maths in five minutes: Calculus

Curious about calculus? This accessible introduction is for you!

Maths in a minute: Limits

Find out about the beautifully intuitive concept that lies at the heart of calculus.

Maths in a minute: Topology

When you let go of the notions of distance, area, and angles, all you are left with is holes.