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: Representing groups

Groups occur all over mathematics, so it makes sense to find a common language to talk about them all.

Maths in a minute: The logistic map

Get a fish to teach you chaos theory!

Maths in a minute: Triangular numbers

Triangular numbers: find out what they are and why they are beautiful!

Physics in a minute: The double slit experiment

One of the most famous experiments in physics demonstrates the strange nature of the quantum world.

Maths in a minute: N-bonacci sequences

You may have heard about the Fibonacci sequence, but have you heard of N-bonacci sequences?

Maths in three minutes: Map projections

Getting a different picture of our planet.

Maths in a minute: Differential equations

Change is the only constant in our lives — which is why differential equations are so useful.

Maths in a minute: the Fibonacci sequence

The origin story of this famous sequences stars some cute, fluffy bunnies.

Maths in a minute: "R nought" and herd immunityWhat is herd immunity and what does it have to do with a number called R0?
Maths in a minute: Voronoi diagrams

We look at a crafty mathematical device which, among other things, has helped people understand what causes cholera.

Maths in a minute: Social distancing

How should people arrange themselves for maximal socialising at a safe distance?

Maths in a minute: The information paradox

Explore a mystery that intrigued Stephen Hawking until the end of his life.

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

  • What do chocolate and mayonnaise have in common? It's maths! Find out how in this podcast featuring engineer Valerie Pinfield.

  • Is it possible to write unique music with the limited quantity of notes and chords available? We ask musician Oli Freke!

  • How can maths help to understand the Southern Ocean, a vital component of the Earth's climate system?

  • Was the mathematical modelling projecting the course of the pandemic too pessimistic, or were the projections justified? Matt Keeling tells our colleagues from SBIDER about the COVID models that fed into public policy.

  • PhD student Daniel Kreuter tells us about his work on the BloodCounts! project, which uses maths to make optimal use of the billions of blood tests performed every year around the globe.