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Why Mathematicians Like to Classify Things
It’s “a definitive study for all time, like writing the final book,” says one researcher who’s mapping out new classes of geometric structures.
New Shapes Solve Infinite Pool-Table Problem
Two “rare jewels” have illuminated a mysterious multidimensional object that connects a huge variety of mathematical work.
The Beautiful Mathematical Explorations of Maryam Mirzakhani
After her untimely death, Maryam Mirzakhani’s life is best remembered through her work.
A Fight to Fix Geometry’s Foundations
When two mathematicians raised pointed questions about a classic proof that no one really understood, they ignited a years-long debate about how much could be trusted in a new kind of geometry.
Nobel Prize Awarded for Quantum Topology
Three physicists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for rewriting our understanding of exotic quantum states on the surfaces of materials.
Air Traffic Control for Random Surfaces
Mathematicians have had a hard time finding commonalities in large groups of random shapes — until recently.
A Unified Theory of Randomness
Researchers have uncovered deep connections among different types of random objects, illuminating hidden geometric structures.
The Oracle of Arithmetic
At 28, Peter Scholze is uncovering deep connections between number theory and geometry.
How Strange Twists in DNA Orchestrate Life
Coils and twirls in DNA’s double-helix change how the molecule behaves, opening a new role for topology in the study of life.