Somewhere at the edge of mathematics lurks a number so large that it breaks the very foundations of our understanding - and ...

The simulation hypothesis—the idea that our universe might be an artificial construct running on some advanced alien computer ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Imagine a town with two widget merchants. Customers prefer cheaper widgets, so the merchants must compete to set the lowest price.

All of modern mathematics is built on the foundation of set theory, the study of how to organize abstract collections of objects. But in general, research mathematicians don’t need to think about it ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. In 1974, five years before he wrote his Pulitzer Prize–winning book Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, Douglas Hofstadter was ...

Mathematical proof debunks the idea that the universe is a computer simulation by Patty Wellborn, University of British Columbia edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Editors' notes Credit: AI ...

From powering search engines to securing data and optimizing networks, algorithms underpin nearly every aspect of modern technology. Understanding how efficiently they can solve problems — and where ...

Game theory helps investors predict outcomes in markets where decisions impact each other. Understanding game theory equips investors to strategically anticipate market actions. Game theory-informed ...

Scanning the crowd at a fancy soiree may reveal a wide array of neckties, each fastened with a highly complex mathematical object masquerading as fashion. An entire field of mathematics is devoted to ...

Is it really possible to make current graphics cards from AMD’s Radeon RX and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX series with just one click? Yes, it’s possible, and quite simple, as I will demonstrate in this ...

The burnt toast theory is a metaphor for life that helps people interpret minor inconveniences as having positive ripple effects or a “silver lining.” It’s related to the butterfly effect. While not a ...

Scientists have developed a unified theory for mathematical parameters known as gauge freedoms. Their new formulas will allow researchers to interpret research results much faster and with greater ...