Tuesday 26 March 2013

Paul Erdös 26 Mar 1913 - 20 Sep 1996


Happy birthday to Paul Erdös, who would have been 100 today if he were still with us.


This Hungarian mathematician, was one of the 20th century's top math experts and pioneered the fields of number theory and combinatorics. The type of mathematics he worked on were beautiful problems that were simple to understand, but notoriously difficult to solve. He loved to set problems for others to solve and would often offer cash prizes as rewards for correct solutions to the problems. These rewards ranged from $5 to $10,000 depending on how difficult he judged them to be.

At age 20, Erdös discovered a proof for a classic theorem of number theory that states that there is always at least one prime number between any positive integer and its double. In the 1930s, he studied in England and later moved to the USA. His Jewish origins made a return to Hungary impossible. However, he was affected by McCarthyism in the 1950s and he spent much of the next ten years in Israel.

Having written many hundreds of papers Erdös became history's most prolific mathematician. He wrote over 1,000 research papers, more than any other mathematician. The previous record was held by Arthur Cayley, who wrote 927.

Monday 11 March 2013

Pi Day Live

Thursday is the annual Pi Day (because Americans would write the date 3.14).


This year, Marcus du Sautoy is hosting Pi Day Live. It's a free interactive online event that is open to all.



The number pi has intrigued mathematicians throughout the ages and this fascination has shown no sign of stopping. In recent times mathematicians have employed super-computers to calculate pi to over a trillion decimal places.

In Pi Day Live, Marcus du Sautoy will be asking whether the techniques used by the ancients to calculate pi can still be used today. And if so, which ones are best? As a part of the interactive audience, you will be a part of answering these questions and more.

To take part, visit the event's online lecture theatre, or go to the event's big screen to watch online. All you need is access to YouTube to get involved.