Actuarial science began as the place where two branches of mathematics meet: compound interest and observed mortality statistics. Financial planning for the future is therefore rooted firmly in the past.
Have you anything to say on these or other subjects of interest to Plus readers? E-mail plus@maths.cam.ac.uk.
We've all seen a traditional sundial, where a triangular wedge is used to cast a shadow onto a marked-out dial - but did you know that there is another kind?
I am hoping that you can help me out with my problem. I am finishing my final year at university in June. Ideally I would like to pursue a career as a financial analyst.
However, I have not studied maths A-Level and my degree is not highly quantitative. I know it sounds hopeless but would anyone at Plus know how I can turn from maths average to rocket scientist in the three months over the summer?
Kevin Jones investigates the links between music and mathematics, throwing in limericks, Fibonacci and Scott Joplin along the way. Plus is proud to present an extended version of his winning entry for the THES/OUP 1999 Science Writing Prize.
I recently noticed a curious fact about the number nine and the result of multiplying it. Could you provide an explanation for this beyond "coincidence"? The curious fact is this:
If you multiply any number from 1 through 31 by nine the result is a number that when the digits are added either equals nine or results in two nines. For example, 9 x 2 = 18; and 9 x 31 = 279.
