Mathematics
![A woman stands in front of a whiteboard full of mathematics equations](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aMCR8RCAiuP3irsSqwMLqV-320-80.jpg)
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
![List of prime numbers below 100 on paper in vintage type writer machine from 1920s closeup with paper.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuKXtXX33AtQss7hfxXMda-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
What is the largest known prime number?
By Charles Q. Choi published
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.
![Illustration of Droste effect on a black clock face with white hands and numbers.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxQMfaKVdmSJ88CjS5SLfR-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
How long is a second?
By Victoria Atkinson published
The length of a second depends on how you're measuring it.
![An infinity symbol glows against a dark background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFtp7uGszbDeAcTK9cteZG-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
The 9 most massive numbers in existence
By Tia Ghose last updated
From the humble trillion to Graham's number, here are some of the most massive numbers ever conceived by humans.
![A close of of a coconut shell on a turquoise blue backdrop.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jNxVFVxMucwAivNsGfEd9A-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Math's 'hairy ball theorem' shows why there's always at least one place on Earth where no wind blows
By Jack Murtagh published
Here's what the hairiest problem in math can teach us about wind, antennas and nuclear fusion.
![illustration of a dna double helix against a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V3XnwJeY68FgDvAhTLNEiU-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Scientists uncover hidden math that governs genetic mutations
By Stephanie Pappas published
The ability of a gene to keep functioning despite mutations shows a surprising link to fundamental math.
![Hundreds of blue numbers of various sizes on a black background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eiHmqCXcRz2p9sXFTesQy5-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Mathematicians finally identify 'seemingly impossible' number after 32 years, thanks to supercomputers
By Harry Baker published
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 3D rendering of abstract shapes linked up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sDpLorpYZsTymJyqMMwHQB-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
A 79-year-old mathematician may have just solved an infinite dimension puzzle that's vexed theorists for decades
By Nathan Brownlowe published
Mathematician Per Enflo, who solved a huge chunk of the 'invariant subspaces problem' decades ago, may have just finished his work.
![A 14-sided shape tiled endlessly without repeating a pattern](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pz5PkemRPyh7LoXfzEUwN9-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Mathematicians end decades-long quest to find elusive 'vampire einstein' shape
By Paul Sutter published
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.
![Computer generated image of concentric rings around a central shaded hat (dark blue).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E2QFGhSx5hWjXpUFn5EZAb-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Newly discovered 'einstein' tile is a 13-sided shape that solves a decades-old math problem
By Paul Sutter published
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.
![The two high school students high five each other.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-320-80.png 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-450-80.png 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-500-80.png 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-650-80.png 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-840-80.png 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-970-80.png 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-1024-80.png 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vLvwJKe9XBXX48W6yXyHn9-1200-80.png 1200w)
High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem
By Sascha Pare published
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.
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