Mathematics articles

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  Article

  Watch this: how the letter 'x' came to represent the unknown

  By Matt Brian on May 8, 2013 07:28 am + 53 comments

  In mathematics, the letter 'x' is used to denote an independent variable. It also once described the Continue reading…

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  Article

  Report: US workers may meet demand for tech industry jobs, but the pay isn't enough

  By Jacob Kastrenakes on April 29, 2013 08:18 pm + 45 comments

  A new report from the Economic Policy Institute suggests tech CEOs', lobbying groups', and senators' Continue reading…

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  Article

  New space probe data gives us a 'high fidelity' simulation of how the Big Bang sounded

  By Adi Robertson on April 8, 2013 11:23 am + 31 comments

  Though the Big Bang took place long before anyone was around to observe it, we've known for years Continue reading…

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  Article

  Pixar's Senior Scientist explains how math makes the movies and games we love

  By Tim Carmody on March 7, 2013 03:03 pm + 28 comments

  Tony DeRose wanders between rows at New York's Museum of Mathematics. In a brightly-colored Continue reading…

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  Article

  Texas Instruments' TI-Nspire app is a graphing calculator tailored for iPad

  By Chris Welch on February 7, 2013 11:35 am + 49 comments

  Apple wants to make the iPad an essential tool in the classroom, but it can't accomplish that Continue reading…

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  Article

  Newly-discovered prime number is more than 17 million digits long

  By Jeff Blagdon on February 6, 2013 03:49 am + 37 comments

  The computer of Dr. Curtis Cooper at the University of Central Missouri has made a rare mathematical Continue reading…

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  Article

  The challenges involved in creating the perfect elevator experience

  By Ben Kersey on December 5, 2012 08:31 am + 15 comments

  It’s easy to take something as simple as the elevator for granted, but there are a huge number of Continue reading…

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  Article

  'The Fractalist' is a window into visionary scientist Mandelbrot's mind

  By Aaron Souppouris on November 12, 2012 05:49 am + 6 comments

  Benoit Mandelbrot was one of the most influential minds of the 20th century. His career spanned many Continue reading…

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  Article

  Two of Alan Turing's wartime cryptography papers released

  By Adi Robertson on April 23, 2012 08:58 am + 2 comments

  Two papers written during World War II by computing forefather Alan Turing have been released to The Continue reading…

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  Article

  Graphing functionality comes to Google search

  By T.C. Sottek on December 5, 2011 07:46 pm + 42 comments

  Texas Instruments may forever have an iron grip on the K-12 graphing industry, but Google just Continue reading…