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Careers with maths
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Barry Phipps tells Plus how he bridges the gap between the arts and sciences as an exhibition curator.

A favourite from the archive...
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Get the maths of this famous fractal

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June 2008
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plane geometry

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Last October, two mathematicians won £1m when it was revealed that they were the first to solve the Eternity jigsaw puzzle. It had taken them six months and a generous helping of mathematical analysis. Mark Wainwright meets the pair and finds out how they did it.

Tags: computer search : tiling : probability : Eternity game : plane geometry : Bayes Theorem


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In 1694, a famous discussion between two of the leading scientists of the day - Isaac Newton and David Gregory - took place on the campus of Cambridge University. The discussion concerned the kissing problem, but it was to be another 260 years before the problem was finally solved.

Tags: history of mathematics : plane geometry : packing : kissing problem : Isaac Newton : David Gregory