Describing the motion of fluids is a huge and unsolved mathematical problem. There are equations that seem to describe it well, but their complete solution is way beyond reach. But could there be a simpler method? The physicist Jerry Gollub tells Plus about a new discovery which combines experiment with sophisticated maths.

Peter Markowich is a mathematician who likes to take pictures. At first his two interests seemed completely separate to him, but then he realised that behind every picture there is a mathematical story to tell. Plus went to see him to find out more, and ended up with a pictorial introduction to partial differential equations.

Phil Trinh discovers how maths helps solve the mysteries of flight and love.

Learn about the aerodynamics of footballs and perfect your free kick.

Goal keepers defend against the maths of the new World Cup ball

Umbrella or no umbrella? New advances in weather forecasting will help us dodge hurricanes and protect against floods.

For the first time, scientists solve the equations to understand how flash rips are formed.

In issue 29 of Plus, we heard how a simple mathematical equation became the subject of a debate in the UK parliament. Chris Budd and Chris Sangwin continue the story of the mighty quadratic equation.

Can researchers solve the mathematics of turbulence at the smallest scale?

One million dollars is waiting to be won by anyone who can solve one of the grand mathematical challenges of the 21st century. In the second of two articles, Chris Budd looks at the well-posedness of the Navier-Stokes equations.

Read about what it is like to work at the Meteorological Office in this interview with Helen Hewson. There's also a contact point for careers information.

Have you ever been in an aeroplane on a smooth flight when suddenly the plane bumps up and down for a short time as it goes through turbulent air? The study of turbulence is used to understand a range of phenomena from the simple squirting of a jet of water to the activity of the sun.