When did "Maths" change to "Math" in American English? Or is it the other way around? [more inside]
posted by fishmasta on Jul 11, 2009 - 39 answers

Best books, websites, lecture series on game theory and its applications for smart people who understand mathematics but can't stand trawling through pages of unnecessary complex formulae?
posted by vizsla on Jan 26, 2009 - 8 answers

Applied Math Filter: Help me use math! I'd like to learn more about mathematics and it's practical applications - particularly in Computer Science [more inside]
posted by dcbarker on Aug 1, 2008 - 13 answers

Teaching a university course for the first time: any tips or suggestions? [more inside]
posted by onoclea on Dec 12, 2007 - 33 answers

Why is it that when I solve the inequality 0 ≤ arccos(x) <> cos(π/4)? Why do the operators switch direction? [more inside]
posted by PuGZ on Oct 19, 2007 - 11 answers

is there a book on the mathematics of chess? [more inside]
posted by randomizer on Oct 18, 2007 - 6 answers

Imagine a cube-shaped building, with ten cube-shaped rooms along each side (10 rooms long, 10 high & 10 deep). Each cubular room has 4 walls, 1 ceiling and 1 floor. Each of the 6 interior surfaces in all 1000 cubular rooms is decorated with a different piece of art. The rooms can be moved around the building, as if it were an enormous Rubik's cube, but they can also be spun on their axes, so all 6 walls of all 1000 cubes is capable of touching all the others (if the cube is so arranged). How many combinations of art within the 'Cube Gallery' are possible? If you can run me through the workings of the maths I would be extra grateful. Also, what technical words/phrases/language are useful/interesting in expressing this concept? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Apr 24, 2007 - 25 answers

Is there a mathematical technique for simplifying ratios/fractions? [more inside]
posted by lunkfish on Dec 17, 2005 - 21 answers

Mathematical imbecile question: what's the simplest, most universal way to add a list of vectors? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob on Feb 19, 2005 - 7 answers

How can a major key sound confident and happy, while a minor key can sound sinister or sad? Is it just centuries of musical brainwashing, or is there a real mathematical explanation?
posted by Pretty_Generic on May 7, 2004 - 16 answers