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: Bayes' theorem

It would be foolish to ignore evidence. Luckily Bayes' theorem shows us how to take it in into account.

Physics in a minute: What's the problem with quantum gravity?

At the heart of modern physics lurks a terrible puzzle: the two main theories that describe the world we live in just won't fit together.

Maths in a minute: The power of powers

The powers of x can work magic.

Maths in a minute: Continued fractions

Continued fractions reveal the good, the bad and the beautiful side of numbers.

Maths in a minute: Easy 11

Eleven makes multiplication easy.

Maths in a minute: Trisecting the angle

A quick look at an ancient problem.

Maths in a minute: Tiling troubles

Why there are only three regular polygons you can tile a wall with.

Maths in a minute: Pretend primes

Fermat's little theorem and fake primes.

Maths in a minute: The Navier-Stokes equations

The mathematical problem with turbulence.

Maths in three minutes: Groups

Capturing symmetry with algebra.

  • 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.