MetaFilter posts tagged with mathematics and Mathematicians

MacTutor History of Mathematics archive

parudox — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:47:09 -0800

The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive is an astounding collection of historical material on mathematics, especially biographies. (Previously: 1 2 3 4.)

E8 Structure Decoded

ericb — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:50:51 -0800

Math Team Solves the Unsolvable E8
"If you thought writing calculations to describe 3-D objects in math class was hard, consider doing the same for one with 248 dimensions. Mathematicians call such an object E₈, a symmetrical structure whose mathematical calculation has long been considered an unsolvable problem. Yet an international team of math whizzes cracked E₈'s symmetrical code in a large-scale computing project, which produced about 60 gigabytes of data. If they were to show their handiwork on paper, the written equation would cover an area the size of Manhattan."

Thinking Machine 4

e.e. coli — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 12:44:09 -0800

Thinking Machine 4 explores the invisible, elusive nature of thought. Play chess against a transparent intelligence, its evolving thought process visible on the board before you.

From Martin Wattenberg (with Marek Walczak); they have been noted here before.

tamim — Sun, 28 Apr 2002 23:56:12 -0800

Math owie! Was math in distress during i t s awareness month? Discuss. [Inspired by moz of TPK.]

badstone — Thu, 17 Jan 2002 15:28:21 -0800

NDb -(60% x Nc/Nt +40% x Dc/Dt) x 17,585
"Mathematicians called in by the Metropolitan Police think they have worked out the best way to beat crime in the capital."
Are there any UK mathematician/cops out there that know what the variables actually are?

redleaf — Wed, 07 Feb 2001 14:42:51 -0800

Americans suck at math. Mathematician trade deficit ensues... I only find this article interesting because of a talk with my math teacher recently about how most math teachers these days are foriegners, although she isn't, and not that foriegners are bad. But I'm curious if this a bad problem in today's economy or not? Or if this is a problem? What country is good at math? India and China? That's where most of the Silicon Valley CEO's workers are from these days. Or is that political, financial? I don't know. Do you know?