math

What's Plato's 'Hidden Philosophy'?

Max Read · 06/30/10 04:54PM

A British scientist says he's discovered a secret code in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. What is "the hidden philosophy of Plato"? And how can we market it?

Mathematical Proof That Your Spouse Is Leaving You

Maureen O'Connor · 05/17/10 02:28PM

Spanish mathematician Jose-Manuel Rey has calculated the "second thermodynamic law for sentimental interaction" and charted the trajectory of "sentimental equilibrium." Just like a relationship that is falling apart, it is as complicated as it is inscrutable.

We Can't Do Math So We Spent All Our Social Security

Hamilton Nolan · 03/25/10 02:26PM

The Way We Live Now: Spending ourselves to death. The way we're unable to comprehend simple arithmetic, you'd think we were all educated in America's public schools. Hmm, what's everything we have minus everything? Can we still afford a VitaminWater?

Science: Americans Can't Count

Hamilton Nolan · 01/18/10 10:59AM

Number-talkin' scientists report that Americans can speak English and count to ten, but not at the same time. A study shows that our brains perceive the vowel sounds in "two" to represent something large, while the vowel sounds in "three" represent something small (in our brains, still). So people estimated that a $3 item marked down to $2.22 was actually more expensive than a $3 item marked down to $2.33.

Poverty Is Russian Roulette

Hamilton Nolan · 10/20/09 01:46PM

The Way We Live Now: There's a high probability that it's not "in poverty!" Five-sixths of us are not officially languishing in the fetid cesspool of government-defined economic despair. There's always that one out of six, yes. That happens occasionally.

Math Nerds Getting Richer, Sexier

Hamilton Nolan · 08/06/09 11:24AM

The Way We Live Now: Revenge-d by the nerds. Statisticians are the new Hedge Fund Guys. The less math-y among us are just marks for con artists and shady Metrocard machines. But: hot stock tip, below!