World of Maths

Over the next few weeks we’ll be showcasing a range of videos, articles, puzzles, brain-teasers and features about mathematics. We aim to refresh the content on this page regularly so we hope you’ll want to be a frequent visitor and, above all, that you enjoy what you see.

News: Maths ‘tree’ could help detect fraudsters

September 13

Applying an algorithm to social networks could help reveal hidden connections that criminals use to commit fraud. Building the algorithm into fraud investigation software may provide important strategic advantages for police and prosecutors. Read more…

Curious Numbers puzzle 8: answer

September 13

Everything is Mathematical: Curious Numbers - Answers

Find out the answer to Curious Numbers puzzle number 8, published in The Times on Thursday 13 September.

What are the missing numbers in the following sequence?

0 = 0
1 = 1
2 = 10
3 = 11
4 = 100
6 = ?
8 = ?
9 = 1001 Read more…

Curious Numbers puzzle 7: answer

September 11

Find out the answer to Curious Numbers puzzle number 7, published in The Times on Tuesday 11 September.

What are the missing numbers in the following sequence?

1² =1
2² = 1+3
3² = 1+3+5
5² = 1+3+5+7+9
? = 1+3+5+7+9+11+13
? = 1+3+5+7+9+11+13+15 Read more…

Curious Numbers puzzle 6: answer

September 10

Find out the answer to Curious Numbers puzzle number 6, published in The Times on Monday 10 September.

What is the missing number in the following calculation?

1 ÷ 37 = 0.027027…
1 ÷ ? = 0.037037… Read more…

Curious Numbers puzzle 5: answer

September 7

Find out the answer to Curious Numbers puzzle number 5, published in The Times on Friday 7 September.

What are the missing numbers in the following set?

? 1 8

7 ? 3

2 9 ?

Video: The Batman equation

September 7

Mathematic equations can be represented in graphical form. This video explains how combining equations for curves and straight lines, along with the use of imaginary numbers and square roots, a very familiar symbol starts to emerge! Read more…

Did you know?

September 7

Birthday problem: In a group of 23 people the probability of at least two having the same birthday is 50%, and if there are 57 people, the probability of at least two having the same birthday is 99%.