How Seashells Take Shape
Mathematical modeling reveals the mechanical forces that guide the development of mollusk spirals, spines and ribs
Math943 articles archived since 1845
Robot, Make Me a Sandwich!
A surprisingly silly science activity from Science Buddies
The Same, Only Different
A column about the surprising cultural, structural, philosophical, and mystical features common to mathematics and food
Harnessing the Invisible Power of "Flutter"
Understanding this type of instability can prevent catastrophic failures and help generate power
Math Cracks a Knuckle-Cracking Mystery
The source of knuckle cracking sounds is much debated—but new mathematical models may reconcile two opposing views. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Momentum Isn't Magic--Vindicating the Hot Hand with the Mathematics of Streaks
Nearly every basketball player, coach or fan believes that some shooters have an uncanny tendency to experience the hot hand
"Grand Unified Theory of Math" Nets Abel Prize
Robert Langlands’ ideas unearthed connections within mathematics that have helped to solve centuries-old problems and aided researchers in disparate fields
Privacy and Counterfeit Coins
Do fake coins really need a lawyer’s protection in the courtroom?
What Is Pi, and How Did It Originate?
Steven Bogart, a mathematics instructor at Georgia Perimeter College, answers
How Much Math Do You Need to Win Your March Madness Pool?
Somewhere between the opposing forces of “favorites” and “underdogs” lies a winning solution
The Magic (and Math) of Skating on Thin Ice without Falling In
Congelation ice, unlike “snow ice,” grows slowly downward from the surface of a calm lake in a vertical, column-like fashion with horizontal interlocking grains
The Math behind the Perfect Free Throw
The fate of a free throw is set the instant the ball leaves the player’s fingertips
To Fight Fatal Infections, Hospitals May Turn to Algorithms
Machine learning could speed up diagnoses and improve accuracy
Physicists Harness Twisted Mathematics to Make Powerful Laser
High-quality beams could be among the first practical applications of the booming field of topological physics
The Hidden Depth in Math's Simple Puzzles
Mathematician Richard Schwartz explains why he loves problems he can start solving right away, and how computers can help
How Robot Math and Smartphones Led Researchers to a Drug Discovery Breakthrough
An algorithm originally designed to help robots move was useful in tackling an entirely different problem
How to Measure Time Without a Stopwatch
How can you measure time without using a stopwatch? You could use the movement of the Sun across the sky, watch a pendulum swing, or burn some very special string. Keep on reading to find out how it works!
Cracking the Brain's Enigma Code
Neuroscientists are taking cues from cryptography to translate brain activity into movements
Fractions: Where It All Goes Wrong
Why do Americans have such trouble with fractions—and what can be done?
