Math

All of statistics and much of science depends on probability—an astonishing achievement, considering no one’s really sure what it is

The proof that the Apéry constant is irrational remains one of the most bizarre events in the history of mathematics

Transport the disks in this math puzzle

A mathematician has calculated the ideal shape for a beer glass to keep the liquid inside as cool as possible

Unsolvable problems, many-dimensional wheels and new prime numbers are among new mathematical discoveries this year

How are these numbers organized?

Mathematicians have found a new kind of shape with connections to nature and art

The discovery of a new prime number highlights the rising price of mathematical gold

Scientific American columnist Martin Gardner started a long mathematical conversation that continues today

Play this crossword inspired by the November 2024 issue of Scientific American

Can this house of cards be built?

An elegant matchmaking algorithm called Gale-Shapley can find the best possible pairings for everybody