The Sciences
The Subterfuge of Epsilon and Delta
The epsilon-delta proof, the nemesis of many a calculus student, is an initiation rite into the mysteries of proof writing.
Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
The Sciences
Make Your Own Font, 1 Cut at a Time
Move over, four-color theorem! It's time for the one-cut theorem: You can cut out any shape you want with one cut if you're willing to do some clever folding
Math
A Few of My Favorite Spaces: the House with Two Rooms
What does it mean to understand a mathematical object? I didn't truly believe in the house with two rooms until I built it for myself.
The Sciences
Impossible Wallpaper and Mystery Curves: Exploring Symmetry in Mathematics and Art
In his new book Creating Symmetry , Frank Farris uses ideas from advanced mathematics, such as complex analysis and abstract algebra, to transform snapshots of landscapes, flowers, or even his dinner into beautiful repeating designs. ...
Math
A Few of My Favorite Spaces: The Line with 2 Origins
The provably undrawable line with two origins illustrates a simple but important topological property
The Sciences
Change Your Open Sets, Change Your Life
The concept of the open set is fundamental in topology. What is it, and why does it matter?
The Sciences
An Epic Quest on an 8,812-Holed Donut
David Madore's online mazes let you explore complicated hyperbolic surfaces from the comfort of your favorite web browser.
The Sciences
Everything Looks Better in the Hyperbolic Plane
Make a yourself or your favorite mathematician into a work of art as a tiling of the hyperbolic plane.
Math
A Few of My Favorite Spaces: the Infinite Earring
Topology is all about squishing and stretching; distance shouldn't matter. But the infinite earring illustrates the delicate interplay between topology and geometry.
The Sciences
Make Mathemusic with Me at Bridges
Join me for a workshop on mathematics, temperament, and pitch perception at the Bridges math+art conference in Baltimore.
Blog Index
@ScientificAmerican
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Anecdotes from the Archive
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Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
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Beautiful Minds
Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being
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Budding Scientist
Everything you always wanted to know about raising science-literate kids
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Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
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Dark Star Diaries
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Dog Spies
Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
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Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
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Eye of the Storm
The Science Behind Extreme Weather
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Frontiers for Young Minds
Science by and for kids ages 8-15
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Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American
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Hot Planet
Climate science in a changing world
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Illusion Chasers
Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions
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Life, Unbounded
Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology
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Observations
Opinion, arguments & analyses from guest experts and from the editors of Scientific American
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Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
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Rosetta Stones
Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
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SA Visual
STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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Talking back
STAFFA science blog, sans blague
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The Artful Amoeba
A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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Voices
Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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