Mathematics

A surprising new proof is helping to connect the mathematics of infinity to the physical world.

Greatness was always expected of Ken Ono. But as he struggled with his parents’ expectations, he found solace and inspiration in the life of two-time college dropout — and mathematical genius — Srinivasa Ramanujan, the subject of the film The Man Who Knew Infinity.

Can you find a shortcut for solving problems that seem to require a lengthy calculation?

The famous Sleeping Beauty problem has divided probability theorists, decision theorists and philosophers for over 15 years. Puzzle columnist Pradeep Mutalik claims to have discovered the source of confusion.

The Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska has solved the centuries-old sphere-packing problem in dimensions eight and 24.

For four game show variations of the hat puzzle, four clever ways to earn a better payoff than you might expect.

A previously unnoticed property of prime numbers seems to violate a long-standing assumption about how they behave.

In three new variations of a famous logic puzzle, what are the best strategies for guessing the color of the hat on your head?

At 86, Britain’s preeminent mathematical matchmaker is still tackling the big questions and dreaming of a union between the quantum and the gravitational forces.