Patrick Honner

Contributing Columnist

Latest Articles

How Math (and Vaccines) Keep You Safe From the Flu

February 5, 2018

Simple math shows how widespread vaccination can disrupt the exponential spread of disease and prevent epidemics.

The (Math) Problem With Pentagons

December 11, 2017

Triangles fit effortlessly together, as do squares. When it comes to pentagons, what gives?

The Math Behind Gerrymandering and Wasted Votes

October 12, 2017

Simple math can help scheming politicians manipulate district maps and cruise to victory. But it can also help identify and fix the problem.

Symmetry, Algebra and the Monster

August 17, 2017

To begin to understand what mathematicians and physicists see in the abstract structures of symmetries, let’s start with a familiar shape.

Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox