Plants
A geometric pattern lurks in Chinese money plant leaves
Tiny water-oozing pores appear to shape the leaves’ veins into a “Voronoi diagram.”
By Alex Music
Math
More Stories in Math
- Brain
Brain scans offer clues to why math is harder for some kids
Kids with math learning disabilities process number symbols differently than numbers shown as dots.
- Science & Society
Understanding algorithms — and how to make them work for you
They’re the recipes behind everything from cooking to social media feeds. Learn how algorithms work to avoid their pitfalls. You can even make your own.
- Archaeology
Ancient pottery shows the earliest evidence of humans doing math
The numbers of petals painted on 8,000-year-old pottery showed a distinct numerical pattern.
- Physics
Why do objects shatter the same way? Math solves the mystery
When objects shatter, the pieces come in many sizes. This simple theory now explains why the fragment size distribution is almost always the same.
- Math
Ever wonder where our math symbols came from? Here are their stories
Their quirky history could help us better appreciate math as a living language — one whose symbols evolved over centuries.
- Math
Scientists Say: Logarithm
Think of this math function as just another way to solve equations involving exponents.
- Math
Fractals describe patterns hidden all around us
Over the last 50 years, fractals have challenged ideas about geometry and pushed math, science and technology into unexpected areas.
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- Physics
Comb-like wings help the tiniest insects swim through ‘syrupy’ air
When you're the size of a grain of sand, flying through air is like swimming through a syrup. Bristled wings help the tiniest insects manage this.
