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Pure mathematics uses mathematics to explore abstract ideas, mathematics that does not necessarily describe a real physical system. This can include developing the fundamental tools used by mathematicians, such as algebra and calculus, describing multi-dimensional space, or better understanding the philosophical meaning of mathematics and numbers themselves.
Advances in artificial-intelligence-assisted mathematical investigations suggest that human–machine collaboration will be an integral part of future theoretical research.
From determining the compound interest on borrowed money to gauging chances at the roulette wheel in Monte Carlo, Stefanie Reichert explains that there’s no way around Euler’s number.
Imaginary numbers have a chequered history, and a sparse — if devoted — following. Abigail Klopper looks at why a concept as beautiful as i gets such a bad rap.
