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combinatorics

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combinatorics

Simple Set Game Proof Stuns Mathematicians

By Erica Klarreich
May 31, 2016
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A new series of papers has settled a long-standing question related to the popular game in which players seek patterned sets of three cards.

geometry

Sphere Packing Solved in Higher Dimensions

By Erica Klarreich
March 30, 2016
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The Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska has solved the centuries-old sphere-packing problem in dimensions eight and 24.

Mathematics

Theorists Draw Closer to Perfect Coloring

By Natalie Wolchover
October 20, 2015
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A theorem for coloring a large class of “perfect” mathematical networks could ease the way for a long-sought general coloring proof.

Q&A

The Connoisseur of Number Sequences

By Erica Klarreich
August 6, 2015
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For more than 50 years, the mathematician Neil Sloane has curated the authoritative collection of interesting and important integer sequences.

Multimedia

The Nine Schoolgirls Challenge

By Thomas Lin
June 9, 2015
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Solve this variation of Thomas Kirkman’s famous 1850 puzzle by arranging girls in walking groups. And think fast — the clock is ticking.

Mathematics

A Design Dilemma Solved, Minus Designs

By Erica Klarreich
June 9, 2015
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A 150-year-old conundrum about how to group people has been solved, but many puzzles remain.

Mathematics

For Persi Diaconis’ Next Magic Trick …

By Erica Klarreich
April 14, 2015
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A mathematician who has analyzed card shuffling for decades is tackling one final nemesis: “smooshing.”


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