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######################################################################## Latest news from <em>Plus</em> magazine - http://plus.maths.org ######################################################################## To ensure that this newsletter is delivered to your inbox, add [log in to unmask] to your address book. ######################################################################## * Latest news - https://plus.maths.org/content/News?nl=0* <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/tools-made-light-win-2018-nobel-prize-physics?nl=0">Tools made of light win 2018 Nobel prize in physics</a> Revolutionary laser tools that have changed our lives have won the Nobel prize in physics. <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/mathscon-reshaping-perceptions-mathematics?nl=0">Mathscon: Reshaping perceptions of mathematics</a> We're looking forward to taking part in the next Mathscon – Farheen Zehra tells us what we can expect! * Latest articles - https://plus.maths.org/content/Article?nl=0 * <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/packing-spheres?nl=0">Packing spheres</a> It took mathematicians hundreds of years to prove that the best way of stacking oranges is in the pyramid shape you sometimes see in the shops. But what if you oranges are higher-dimensional? Maryna Viazovska tells us about her groundbreaking work on this question. <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/fantastic-fractals?nl=0">Fantastic fractals</a> Escape the "tyranny of the straight line" with this quick introduction to fractals. <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/atomic-clocks-and-laser-cooling?nl=0">Dodging Doppler: Atomic clocks and laser cooling</a> Atomic clocks are the best time keepers, but need to be kept incredibly cold. Paradoxically, the cooling is achieved by shining light on them. Find out how! <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/blockchain-spreading-trust?nl=0">Blockchain: Spreading trust</a> Bitcoin is a digital currency that isn't regulated by any kind of central authority. The structure which allows this decentralisation is called blockchain. But how, and how well, does it work? <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/pharmaceutical-statistics?nl=0">What is pharmaceutical statistics?</a> What do statisticians do in the pharmaceutical industry? * Maths in a minute: Transcendental numbers - https://plus.maths.org/content/transcendental-numbers-and-politics?nl=0 * Transcendental numbers are defined in contrast to <em>algebraic numbers</em>: we say that a number is algebraic if it is the solution of a polynomial equation all whose coefficients are integers, that is to say, an equation consisting of a sum of powers of the unknown <em>x</em> which can be multiplied by integers. Examples are 3<em>x</em><sup>2</sup>+2<em>x</em>+1=0 and 5<em>x</em><sup>5</sup>+6<em>x</em><sup>3</sup>+7<em>x</em>+8=0. Thus, for example, the number 2 is algebraic because it is the solution of the equation <em>x</em>-2=0. In a similar way, any whole number or any fraction (a rational number) is also algebraic: 1/2 , for instance, is the solution of 2<em>x</em>-1=0. Another example of an algebraic number is &surd;2: this is a solution of the equation <em>x</em><sup>2</sup>-2=0. Any number that is not algebraic is called transcendental. Since every rational number is algebraic, it follows that every transcendental number is necessarily irrational (that is, not rational). But not every irrational number is transcendental: take &surd;2 for example (see <em><a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/maths-minute-square-root-2-irrational?nl=0">Maths in a minute: The square root of 2 is irrational</a></em>). Probably the most famous transcendental number is π. Even before π was proven to be transcendental, in 1882, mathematicians had long had the creeping suspicion that it was somehow unlike most of the other numbers that they encountered. It was certainly known that π is irrational, but its weirdness as a number seemed to go beyond this. It is explained by the transcendentality of π: because we can't write down equations of which they are solutions, transcendental numbers are harder to "get hold of" than algebraic ones. In essence, an equation for a number provides us with a finite process by which we can construct that number; in the case of transcendental numbers, we have no such process. Are there any other transcendental numbers and, if yes, how to we construct them? To find out, see <a href=https://plus.maths.org/content/transcendental-numbers-and-politics?nl=0">the longer version of this article</a>. * - * * - * * Stay in touch with <em>Plus</em> * Follow <em>Plus</em> on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/plusmathsorg">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/plusmagazine">Facebook</a>! * Maths in a minute * Want facts and want them fast? Our <em>Maths in a minute</em> series explores key mathematical concepts in just a few words. From symmetry to Euclid's axioms, and from binary numbers to the prosecutor's fallacy, learn some maths without too much effort. <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/maths-in-a-minute?nl=0">Visit the Maths in a minute library!</a> * Support <em>Plus</em> - make a difference to mathematics * <em>Plus</em> is free for all, but to support our activities we depend entirely on donations and grants from organisations and individuals who share our commitment to making a difference to mathematics education and engagement. If you'd consider supporting <em>Plus</em> we'd be very grateful. Your generosity has a real impact, helping <em>Plus</em> to continue reaching millions of readers worldwide. <a href="https://plus.maths.org/content/support-plus?nl=0">Support <em>Plus</em>!</a> If you have any comments on this newsletter, or Plus Magazine, please contact us at [log in to unmask] - we are always happy to hear from our readers! Feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested. Happy reading! ######################################################################## * Subscription Details * You are subscribed to Latest news from Plus Magazine. 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