Column

Math

Does Defense Win Championships?

In pro football, a good defense doesn't generally trump a good offense.

Math

Pancake Sorting

Flipping pancakes to stack them according to size can be a tricky business.

Math

Making Sense of the Web’s Structure

Pioneering studies of social networks and the Web's structure lead to a prestigious prize.

Math

Puzzling Names in Boxes

An ingenious search strategy leads to a death-defying feat.

Math

Lake Wobegon Averages

Computing average class size can give different answers that depend on your point of view.

Math

Math Lit

Cryptography and other mathematical topics play key roles in several recent novels.

Math

Names for Numbers

Named numbers, such as Smiths, have all sorts of intriguing properties.

Math

Aircraft Boarding by the Numbers

Random airplane boarding isn't so bad.

Math

Flirting with the Impossible

A new book champions the importance of imagination and fantasy in mathematics.

Math

Bending a Soccer Ball

Mathematics suggests a variety of alternative designs for soccer balls.

Math

Magic Square Physics

Taking a magic square or cube for a spin reveals some interesting properties. For more math, visit the MathTrek blog.

Math

Counting Franklin’s Magic Squares

Benjamin Franklin's remarkable magic squares are just three of more than 1 million possibilities. For more math, visit the MathTrek blog.