Content about “

group theory

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What is group theory and why is it such an exciting area of maths? Two experts explain.

A journey into the maths of card shuffling gives us a great insight into how mathematicians work.

An impossible equation, two tragic heroes and the mathematical study of symmetry.

In 1982 Dan Shechtman discovered a crystal that would revolutionise chemistry. He has just been awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery — but has the Nobel committee missed out a chance to honour a mathematician for his role in this revolution as well?

E8 symmetry discovered in lab for the first time

Did you know that church bell ringers have to memorise sequences of several thousand numbers, and that it can take up to 18 hours to translate these sequences into perfect bell ringing? Burkard Polster and Marty Ross explain why, and explore the maths behind bell ringing.

The Abel Prize 2009 goes to Mikhail Gromov

With the credit crunch dominating the news, columnists have been wailing about "chaos in the markets", and "turbulent" share prices. But what does move the markets? Are they deterministic, or a result of chance? Colva Roney-Dougal explores the maths, from chaos to group theory.

Prestigious mathematics prize goes to group theorists

Plus 1000 — Mathematical lives