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  1. Math

    Buffon’s Needling Ants

    The classic probability experiment known as Buffon’s needle produces a statistical estimate of the value of pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The experiment consists of randomly dropping a needle over and over again onto a wooden floor made up of parallel planks. If the needle’s length is no greater than […]

    By Ivars Peterson
  2. Math

    Tetris Is Hard

    As many computer- and video-game players have long known, the insanely addictive, immensely popular game of Tetris is tough. You can’t really win; you merely try your best to improve upon previous results. The seven tetrominoes of Tetris. The game was invented in 1985 by mathematician Alexey Pajitnov, then a computer engineer at the Academy […]

    By Ivars Peterson
  3. Math

    Tetris Is Hard

    As many computer- and video-game players have long known, the insanely addictive, immensely popular game of Tetris is tough.