puzzles

For this month’s puzzle, design a Sudoku square to figure out the likes and dislikes of four finicky friends.

The solution to this month’s puzzle explains how to find a rule behind a given sequence of numbers and challenges readers to take on a ‘lovely’ unsolved problem.

Can you infer the simple rule behind a number sequence that spikes up and down like the beating of a heart?

The solution to this month’s puzzle explains the artful mathematics behind symmetrical patterns.

Can you generate aesthetically pleasing, symmetrical curves with two numbers and a simple mathematical function?

Using crowd-sourced and traditional mathematics research, Terence Tao has devised a solution to a long-standing problem posed by the legendary Paul Erdős.

The solution to this month’s puzzle uses both mathematics and psychology to explain trouble with choosing the fastest route.

When there are two paths to your destination, why does it always seem like you’re on the road with more traffic?

The solution to this month’s puzzle examines the use of abstract probabilities as an antidote to real-world ignorance.