Mathematics

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

Einstein’s equations describe three canonical configurations of space-time. Now one of these three — important in the study of quantum gravity — has been shown to be inherently unstable.

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

Modern mathematics relies on collaboration and travel. COVID-19 is making it increasingly difficult.

The “pinball” model of a slipping fault line borrows from the mathematics of avalanches.

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

Freeman Dyson — physicist, mathematician, writer and idea factory — died on February 28, but his vitality lives on.

A landmark proof in computer science has also solved an important problem called the Connes embedding conjecture. Mathematicians are working to understand it.

The laws of physics imply that the passage of time is an illusion. To avoid this conclusion, we might have to rethink the reality of infinitely precise numbers.