Math Mutation

Latest Episodes:

Math Mutation 48 Computers On The Brain Dec 09, 2007

Show notes

Some engineers have their brains cross-wired to see circuit schematic AND, OR, and NOT gates as particular colors. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 47 An Unusual Lottery Dec 02, 2007

Show notes

A strange lottery run by Douglas Hofstadter in the early 1980s, with interesting implications for human society. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 46 The World's Simplest Computer Nov 25, 2007

Show notes

A new theorem by a British undergraduate has just established the simplest possible computer. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 45 The Aliens Among Us Nov 18, 2007

Show notes

Can we calcuate the number of intelligent life forms in our galaxy with one simple equation? (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 44 Friends in Mathematical Places Nov 11, 2007

Show notes

Story of a 19th-century Frenchwoman who pretended to be male for her career in mathematics, and how she revealed her identity to save Gauss. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 43 A Theorem Made Real Nov 04, 2007

Show notes

Strangely enough, pure math can tell us interesting things about global weather patterns. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 42 Solving Burma's Problems Oct 28, 2007

Show notes

The Burmese military junta's numerological failures. (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 41: Action, Drama, and Geometry Lessons Oct 21, 2007

Show notes

Review of Flatland The Movie (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)

Math Mutation 40 Death By Theorem Oct 14, 2007

Show notes

How do we know that irrational numbers exist? (Send feeback to erik@mathmutation.com)