Plus 1000 — Mathematical lives

Computer scientists prove how long it should take you to solve Rubik's cube

Mathematicians pin down symmetry

Winner of the general public category. Enormous is the right word: this theorem's proof spans over 10,000 pages in 500 journal articles and no-one today understands all its details. So what does the theorem say? Richard Elwes has a short and sweet introduction.

Groups are some of the most fundamental objects in maths. Take a system of interacting objects and strip it to the bone to see what makes it tick, and very often you're faced with a group. Colva Roney-Dougal takes us into their abstract world and puzzles over a game of Solitaire.

Tope Omitola looks back at the tragically short but inspiringly productive life of a true original: Evariste Galois.

The work of Donald Coxeter, who died on 31 March 2003, will continue to inspire both mathematicians and artists.