Mathematics

In the 1970s mathematicians found a simple way to create all numbers, from the infinitely small to infinitely large

A concept from theoretical physics helped confirm the strange connection between two completely different areas of mathematics

Researchers are racing to create codes so complex that even quantum computers can’t break them

A new mathematical proof helps show whether a sequence of numbers is “pseudorandom”

Mathematicians cannot determine whether multiplying pi by itself repeatedly might produce a whole number

The bizarre life and legacy of Paul Erdős, the most prolific mathematician ever

The inspection paradox makes sense of social networks, long train wait times and why the call center is always busy 

Squaring numbers can have surprising consequences

The quest for the einstein tile—a shape never seen before in mathematics—turned up even more discoveries than mathematicians counted on

In 2013 a new user named Cleo took an online math forum by storm with unproved answers. Today she’s an urban legend. But who was she? A 2023 editor's pick. 

One safe, five sons and betrayal: this principle shows how shared knowledge can protect secrets—without having to trust anyone

A mathematician and a musician collaborated to turn a quantum research paper into a jazz performance