The proof resolves a nearly 80-year-old problem known as the Duffin-Schaeffer conjecture. In doing so, it provides a final answer to a question that has preoccupied mathematicians since ancient times: ...

Most people rarely deal with irrational numbers—it would be, well, irrational, as they run on forever, and representing them accurately requires an infinite amount of space. But irrational constants ...

There are some people—incredibly intelligent people, no less—for whom a grasp of numbers is entirely elusive. Is 6 bigger than 5? What is halfway between 200 and 400? If I give you $10 for a $7.50 ...

Count on evolution to play favorites. When it comes to math achievement, some kids may start out with an inherent advantage. A portion of 14-year-olds deftly estimate approximate quantities of items ...

Silke Goebel has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (UK), the British Academy and the Experimental Psychology Society. Counting feels utterly effortless to adults, who are ...