The symbols we use every day have fascinating and surprisingly recent origins, explains author Joseph Mazur in his new book A few years ago friends and I were talking about the origins of written ...

Before the 16th century, most math equations were written as metered verse. Thank god for graphic-design-inclined mathematicians. The study of mathematics has existed since ancient times.

Before the 16th century, most math equations were written as metered verse. Thank god for graphic-design-inclined mathematicians.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED His only option, he decided, was to ...

It’s natural to think that mathematics is primarily about numbers. In school, we first learn how to recite numbers and then spend considerable time writing them down and manipulating them on paper. Of ...

Research Fellow in Mathematical Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine When we go to the cinema, we expect certain things of big-screen scientists. Most of us will get annoyed if a ...