The Art of Mathematics

Latest Episodes:

The Real World Is a Special Case Nov 18, 2020

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Abstract math is at once about nothing and about everything. The structures it builds may represent numbers, real world objects, music, or things we can barely imagine. Here we look at group theory for numbers, music, Rubik’s cubes and beyond.

How to Find Something You’ve Never Seen Nov 04, 2020

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Another seemingly easy problem that’s hard to solve. In fact, it's unsolved. Find an odd perfect number or prove one doesn’t exist. The search involves “spoof” answers, trying to find the right answer (or prove it doesn't exist) by looking at wrong answers. Hey, nothing else has worked.

Beyond the Third Dimension Oct 21, 2020

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The fourth dimension is a staple of science fiction and the key to relativity. What exactly is it and how can we visualize it? What about higher dimensions?

One Theorem, 99 Proofs Oct 07, 2020

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Can you really approach one mathematical statement 99 different ways? We review the wonderful book 99 Variations on a Proof. The answer is yes.

A Beautiful Theorem with an Ugly Proof Sep 30, 2020

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The Four Color Theorem is a pretty little conjecture that has been intriguing mathematicians for more than a century. Too bad the proof stands as an example of really ugly mathematics.

To Infinity...and Beyond Sep 23, 2020

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What is infinity, why does it seem so weird, and can you really go beyond it?

The Unsolved Is Solved...and Another Sep 16, 2020

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We consider two problems, one in tiling and one in knots. They had each had been unsolved for over 50 years and their solutions hit the popular press in the same week. What kind of skills help people make surprising connections and new discoveries?

This Podcast is Lying Sep 09, 2020

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We explore the mind-blowing Liar and related paradoxes and how they changed mathematics

An Impossible Easy Question Sep 02, 2020

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Goldbach’s Conjecture and how a statement that is easy to understand is difficult or impossible to resolve

Everything You Know About Math is Wrong Aug 26, 2020

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We explore some of the common misconceptions about mathematics and mathematicians.