Math lovers celebrate today (3/14) as Pi Day, in honor of the irrational number pi. Pi, or π, is defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi is an irrational number, ...

When my students grow too dependent on their calculators, I ask them to find a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives them 2. Students quickly see that since 1² = 1 and 2² = 4, the answer has ...

A rational number can be written exactly in the form \(\frac{a}{b}\), where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are integers, while an irrational number cannot.

In Economics, the idea of someone acting in a “rational” way implies that they make decisions that maximize their own utility, and that they do so consistently. in Mathematics, the same word means ...

For centuries, one of algebra’s oldest puzzles has remained unsolved—how to find exact answers for higher-degree polynomials, where the variable is raised to the fifth power or more. Mathematicians ...

A new number theory paper comes from three academic researchers and, astonishingly, one prison inmate. Number theory is full of complex problems with applications in cryptography and more. The paper ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Most people’s experiences with polynomial equations don’t extend ...