Mathematicians have illuminated what sets of points can look like if the distances between them are all whole numbers. The change of plans came on a road trip. On a beautiful day last April, the ...

Most people’s experiences with polynomial equations don’t extend much further than high school algebra and the quadratic formula. Still, these numeric puzzles remain a foundational component of ...

Schools are often described as engines of opportunity — places where students gain the skills and knowledge needed to build their futures. But for too many young people, that engine stalls before it ...

Two mathematicians have used a new geometric approach in order to address a very old problem in algebra. In school, we often learn how to multiply out and factor polynomial equations like (x² – 1) or ...

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Representation theory transforms abstract algebra groups into things like simpler ...

Top students can benefit greatly by being offered the subject early. But many districts offer few Black and Latino eighth graders a chance to study it. By Troy Closson From suburbs in the Northeast to ...