click here for the plus home page
© 1997-2004, Millennium Mathematics Project, University of Cambridge.
Permission is granted to print and copy this page on paper for non-commercial use. For other uses, including electronic redistribution, please contact us.
Careers with maths
icon

From satellites to the London Olympics, all in one career

A favourite from the archive...
icon

Discover why the number 6174 is so mysterious.

Subscribe to our RSS feed:
AddThis Feed Button subscribe to our RSS feed
 
September 2008
Tags

packing

Feature icon

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