Math is in everything — from the code in your smartphone to the calculations that explain the very fabric of the universe. At Live Science, we want to show you how amazing numbers can be, whether it’s recognizing the most beautiful equation or marveling in the golden ratio.
So if you're after seriously mind-boggling math facts, want to know why the universe would not make sense without mathematics or are curious how supercomputers enabled mathematicians to finally identify a "seemingly impossible" number, our expert writers and editors are on point with the latest news, features and articles about mathematics.
Latest about Mathematics
What is the largest known prime number?
There are infinitely many prime numbers, but the biggest one we know of goes by the name M82589933 and contains more than 24 million digits.
The 9 most massive numbers in existence
From the humble trillion to Graham's number, here are some of the most massive numbers ever conceived by humans.
Math's 'hairy ball theorem' shows why there's always at least one place on Earth where no wind blows
Here's what the hairiest problem in math can teach us about wind, antennas and nuclear fusion.
Scientists uncover hidden math that governs genetic mutations
The ability of a gene to keep functioning despite mutations shows a surprising link to fundamental math.
Mathematicians finally identify 'seemingly impossible' number after 32 years, thanks to supercomputers
Researchers have calculated the "ninth Dedekind number," which belongs to an exponentially complex series of numbers that define outputs of logical functions based on different spatial dimensions.
A 79-year-old mathematician may have just solved an infinite dimension puzzle that's vexed theorists for decades
Mathematician Per Enflo, who solved a huge chunk of the 'invariant subspaces problem' decades ago, may have just finished his work.
Mathematicians end decades-long quest to find elusive 'vampire einstein' shape
Researchers have discovered a new 14-sided shape called the Spectre that can be used to tile a surface without ever creating a repeating pattern, ending a decades' long mathematical hunt.
Newly discovered 'einstein' tile is a 13-sided shape that solves a decades-old math problem
A new 13-sided shape is the first example of an elusive "einstein" — a single shape that can be tiled infinitely without repeating a pattern.
High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem
Two high school seniors have presented their proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry — which mathematicians thought to be impossible — at an American Mathematical Society meeting.
