X marks the unknown in algebra, but X"s origins are a math mystery
Even though "x" is one of the least-used letters in the English alphabet, it appears throughout American culture—from Stan Lee's X-Men superheroes to "The X-Files" TV series. The letter x often symbolizes something unknown, with an air of mystery t.....»»
This Elegant Math Problem Could Help You Make the Best Choice in House-Hunting and Even Love
Math’s “best-choice problem” could help humans become better decision-makers, at everything from choosing the best job candidate to finding a romantic partner.....»»
A handy guide to the universal language for the mathematically perplexed
Ars chats with Ben Orlin about his new book, Math for English Majors. Enlarge / Math for English Majors talks about numbers as nouns, verbs as calculations, and algebra as grammar. (credit: Ben Orlin) Galileo once famous.....»»
What’s your mathematical style?
Is your approach to math "normcore" or are you more of an xkcd character come to life? Enlarge (credit: Ben Orlin) Math teacher Ben Orlin writes and draws the (aptly named) blog Math With Drawings and is the author of.....»»
Genetic tracing at the Huanan Seafood market further supports COVID animal origins
A new international collaborative study provides a list of the wildlife species present at the market from which SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, most likely arose in late 2019. The study is based on a new analysis of meta.....»»
Can toddlers help explain the origins of our bias for wealth?
Income and wealth inequality in the U.S. remain near all-time highs. Analysts say this disparity is a "major issue of our time." Experts have spotlighted deep policy failures fueling the problem and helpful economic fixes to alleviate the suffering......»»
Understanding the Origins of Life on Earth Could Help Find Life beyond It
We can’t yet tell how life got its start on Earth. That’s one great reason to keep looking for life elsewhere.....»»
Math Puzzle: Find the Imposter Number
Can you find the number that doesn't belong?.....»»
Mystery of Deep-Ocean ‘Biotwang’ Sound Has Finally Been Solved
A strange sound dubbed “biotwang” was first heard bouncing around the Mariana Trench 10 years ago, and scientists have finally figured out where it comes from.....»»
‘Retirement is not a math problem,’ says one of retirement’s top math experts
‘Retirement is not a math problem,’ says one of retirement’s top math experts.....»»
Apple A16 chips now being made in the US, creating a mystery
Apple A16 chips are now being made in TSMC’s US chipmaking plant in Arizona, according to a new report. It’s said that while yield rates are lower than those achieved in Taiwan, they are very close to hitting the same standards. The big myster.....»»
Researcher discusses how finger counting may help improve math skills in kindergarten
Preschool teachers have different views on finger counting. Some teachers consider finger counting use in children to signal that they are struggling with math, while others associate its use as advanced numerical knowledge. In a new Child Developmen.....»»
Unraveling an ancient European extinction mystery: Disappearance of dwarf megafauna on paleolithic Cyprus
Scientists have unraveled a mystery about the disappearance of dwarf hippos and elephants that once roamed the picturesque landscape on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus before paleolithic humans arrived......»»
Toyota marks Highlander"s 25th anniversary with limited edition
The 2025 Toyota Highlander 25th Edition will debut at dealerships in November and is limited to 2,500 vehicles......»»
Unknown 9: Awakening is already a thrilling superhero spectacle
We played an hour of Unknown 9: Awakening, Bandai Namco's latest, and we're already digging its superhero action......»»
Scientists Crack a 50-Year Mystery to Discover a New Set of Blood Groups
We now know why some blood is missing a key antigen—leading to the creation of a new blood-grouping system. Experts believe even more discoveries are on the way......»»
5 most anticipated drama movies of fall 2024, ranked
Conclave and A Complete Unknown are some of the most anticipated dramas of fall 2024. Check out the rest of our rankings......»»
Saturday Citations: Permian-Triassic mystery solved; cute baby sighted; the nine-day 2023 seismic event
This week, a billionaire made a spacewalk, archaeologists found a new, isolated Neanderthal lineage and the James Webb Space Telescope revealed the extreme outskirts of the Milky Way. And a few other things happened:.....»»
Experimental data help unravel the mystery surrounding the creation of heavy elements in stars
How are stars born, and how do they die? How do they produce the energy that keeps them burning for billions of years? How do they create the elements we observe today? Definitive answers to these questions continue to elude scientists in their quest.....»»
Researchers solve long-standing mystery of alumina surface structure
Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), also known as alumina, corundum, sapphire, or ruby, is one of the best insulators used in a wide range of applications: in electronic components, as a support material for catalysts, or as a chemically resistant ceramic, to na.....»»
3 great British TV crime shows you need to watch in September 2024
September marks the beginning of fall, and what better way to celebrate than by watching these three great British TV crime shows?.....»»