We care about your data, and we'd like to use cookies to give you a smooth browsing experience. Please agree and read more about our privacy policy.
  • Physics

  • Mathematics

  • Biology

  • Computer Science

  • Topics

  • Archive

What's up in

number theory

A comically long “missing persons” poster for an odd perfect number that shows all the restrictions it has to satisfy.
number theory

Mathematicians Open a New Front on an Ancient Number Problem

By Steve Nadis
September 10, 2020
Read Later

For millennia, mathematicians have wondered whether odd perfect numbers exist, establishing an extraordinary list of restrictions for the hypothetical objects in the process. Insight on this question could come from studying the next best things.

Photo of Marijn Heule walking among computer processors
Abstractions blog

Computer Scientists Attempt to Corner the Collatz Conjecture

By Kevin Hartnett
August 26, 2020
Read Later

A powerful technique called SAT solving could work on the notorious Collatz conjecture. But it’s a long shot.

number theory

Landmark Math Proof Clears Hurdle in Top Erdős Conjecture

By Erica Klarreich
August 3, 2020
Read Later

Two mathematicians have proved the first leg of Paul Erdős’ all-time favorite problem about number patterns.

Visualization of the distribution of prime numbers in the shape of colorful dots in a hexagonal pattern
Abstractions blog

Mathematicians Will Never Stop Proving the Prime Number Theorem

By Susan D'Agostino
July 22, 2020
Read Later

Why do mathematicians enjoy proving the same results in different ways?

A photograph of the mathematician James Maynard outside his home in Oxford, England.
profiles

A Number Theorist Who Solves the Hardest Easy Problems

By Erica Klarreich
July 1, 2020
Read Later

In his rapid ascent to the top of his field, James Maynard has cut a path through simple-sounding questions about prime numbers that have stumped mathematicians for centuries.

Diagram showing a colorful visualization of the simple Lie group
Abstractions blog

The ‘Useless’ Perspective That Transformed Mathematics

By Kevin Hartnett
June 9, 2020
Read Later

Representation theory was initially dismissed. Today, it’s central to much of mathematics.

Photo of iron filings spread along magnetic field lines on a green and yellow background
number theory

Mathematician Measures the Repulsive Force Within Polynomials

By Kevin Hartnett
May 14, 2020
Read Later

Vesselin Dimitrov’s proof of the Schinzel-Zassenhaus conjecture quantifies the way special values of polynomials push each other apart.

Quantized Academy

To Win This Numbers Game, Learn to Avoid Math Patterns

By Patrick Honner
May 7, 2020
Read Later

Sizing up patternless sets is hard, so mathematicians rely on simple bounds to help answer their questions.

Black and white photo of John Conway against a black background
Abstractions blog

John Conway Solved Mathematical Problems With His Bare Hands

By Kevin Hartnett
April 20, 2020
Read Later

The legendary mathematician, who died on April 11, was curious, colorful and one of the greatest problem-solvers of his generation.


Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • ...
  • 10
Next

The Quanta Newsletter

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

Recent newsletters


  • About Quanta
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Simons Foundation
All Rights Reserved © 2022