Katie has a PhD in maths, specializing in the intersection of dynamical systems and number theory. She reports on topics from maths and history to society and animals. Katie has a PhD in maths, ...

Originally defined as the ratio between the circumference of a circle and its diameter, pi — written as the Greek letter π — appears throughout mathematics, including in areas that are completely ...

The proof resolves a nearly 80-year-old problem known as the Duffin-Schaeffer conjecture. In doing so, it provides a final answer to a question that has preoccupied mathematicians since ancient times: ...

Happy Pi Day! We celebrate pi on March 14 because 3-14 gives the first three digits of this famous number. But what’s the big deal about pi anyway? Why does it get a day? Well, for starters, it ...

Most people rarely deal with irrational numbers—it would be, well, irrational, as they run on forever, and representing them accurately requires an infinite amount of space. But irrational constants ...

Imagine being asked to pick a number from 1 to 10. You are quite likely to pick a whole number; I have never seen someone do otherwise. But you could also pick the number pi, whose decimal expansion ...

The ancient Greeks wondered when “irrational” numbers can be approximated by fractions. By proving the longstanding Duffin-Schaeffer conjecture, two mathematicians have provided a complete answer. The ...

Pi Day is a favorite holiday for both food lovers and mathematicians. For the foodies, the reasoning is simple. Pi Day brings discounts and deals for people looking to grab a pizza to celebrate the ...

What if Pi Day, perhaps the best known mathematical holiday, was actually better celebrated in the summer? Currently falling on March 14 — 3/14, in honor of the first three digits of the infamous ...

This Pi Day, as you’re enjoying your slice of pie, explore a bigger slice of mathematics. Most March 14 celebrations are obsessed with the number pi. If you think “obsessed” is too strong, take a look ...

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