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: "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.

Maths in a minute: Hawking radiation

Nothing, not even light, can escape from a black hole. Or can it? Find out about one of Stephen Hawking's most radical results.

Maths in a minute: Escape velocity

Would you like to get away from Earth? Here's how fast you would need to go.

Maths in a minute: The d'Hondt method

How does the voting system for the European Parliament elections work?

Maths in a minute: The Sydney Opera House

The mathematical puzzle behind the iconic structure.

Maths in a minute: Flipping pancakes

In time for pancake day here's a problem about flipping pancakes. It turns out to be surprisingly hard.

Maths in a minute: Equal temperatures

At any point in time there are two points on the Earth's equator with the same temperature.

Maths in a minute: Higher dimensions

In normal life higher dimensions smack of science fiction, but in mathematics they are nothing out of the ordinary.

Maths in a minute: Transcendental numbers (and politics)

A quick introduction to transcendental numbers, a famous problem which relates to them, and how the person who solved it became a victim of political tensions.

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

  • As COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, kicks off we look at how maths can help understand the climate crisis.

  • How do you create dramatic film out of mathematics? We find out with writer and director Timothy Lanzone.

  • Mathematics plays a central role in understanding how infectious diseases spread. This collection of articles looks at some basic concepts in epidemiology to help you understand this fascinating and important field, and set you up for further study.

  • Find out why the formula we use to work out conditional probabilities is true!

  • We talk about a play that explores the fascinating mathematical collaboration between the mathematicians GH Hardy and Srinivasa Ramanujan.