A Skeleton Key For Network Complexity

A Skeleton Key For Network Complexity

Very different complex networks, like global air traffic and neural networks, share very similar 'backbones', say a group of mathematicians, and by stripping each network down to their essential…
Mathematics For Amphibians

Mathematics For Amphibians

One of the disappointments experienced by most mathematics students is that they never get a course in mathematics. They get courses in calculus, algebra, topology, and so on, but the division of…
The World's Greatest Mathematical Card Trick

The World's Greatest Mathematical Card Trick

For my book Brain Trust, I chatted with Ian Stewart, mathematician, prolific puzzle author and very fun person to shoot the mathematical breeze with, who explains the following best card trick I’ve…
How To Choose An Elementary School By The Numbers

How To Choose An Elementary School By The Numbers

Lately, my wife and I have been staring slack-jawed at elementary school options, little ropes of drool hanging zombie-like from the corners of our mouths  – and so we’ve decided to cede our…
Patterns In Randomness: The Bob Dylan Edition

Patterns In Randomness: The Bob Dylan Edition

The human brain is very good — quite excellent, really — at finding patterns. We delight in puzzles that involve pattern recognition... consider word-search puzzles, the “Where’s Waldo” stuff, and…
Debunking Myths About Gender And Math

Debunking Myths About Gender And Math

Is there still a gender gap in math?  There is if you are selling cultural drama but in actuality, not so much.  Complaints aside, the No Child Left Behind program accomplished its mission…