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From abstract nonsense to essential tool Pure mathematics has a habit of eventually becoming useful. This series of articles explores an example: the rise of category theory in physics and the quest to build quantum computers.

Turns out that category theory, once described as "abstract nonsense" is just what we need to understand materials we might be able to build #quantum #computers with. We've told the story here plus.maths.org/abstract-non...

Pure #maths has a habit of becoming useful decades, even centuries, after it was first developed. We came across an interesting example of this at a recent Newton Institute
programme....

Listening and Responding to Public Interest: A Mathsci-comm Network Event - Newton Gateway to Mathematics This one-day in-person workshop, organised on behalf of the Mathsci-comm Network, will explore how the communication of research in mathematics and data science...

Are you interested in communicating maths to non-expert audiences? Then you may be interested in our event at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge on Jan 29. We have a bunch of interesting speakers, including 2 Zeeman medal winners! Registration is still open gateway.newton.ac.uk/event/tgm156/

Clear, reliable information is increasingly scarce, so let's reward those who produce trustworthy sources of communication. Entries for the Harding Prizes for Trustworthy Communication are now open! hardingprize.com

I've just started reading this new book by Shekhar Khare, a renowned number theorist at UCLA, and I highly recommend it. It takes the reader on an intellectual adventure, with very illuminating analogies and vivid storytelling. It's a book about some brilliant math, but it also has a great heart.

What's the problem with AI images tools?

AI excels when fed perfect data, but falters in the real world.
Discover where deep learning hits its limits and why timeless math holds the key to robust, universal imaging.

With Professor Carola Schönlieb
@leverhulme.ac.uk ; @plusmaths.bsky.social

If you zoomed in on the space we live in, would you find it's pixelated? Perhaps! Find out more with today's door of our #adventcalendar plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #mathematics #quantum

Tired of the same old routine? The last few doors of our #adventcalendar have explored the "many worlds" interpretation of #quantum mechanics. A version of you may be living it up with cocktails on the beach! plus.maths.org/content/adve...

Holly Krieger and the dynamics of numbers We talk to Krieger about her work, sharing mathematics with wider audiences, and advice for young mathematicians

How is number theory related to dynamical systems? Find out with Holly Krieger, who also tells us about appearing on Numberphile and has advice for budding mathematicians plus.maths.org/content/holl... #maths #mathematics

Today's door of our #adventcalendar opens on the future of #computing! plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #mathematics #quantum

Have you been opening the doors of our #adventcalendar? The last few days we explored Schrödinger's equation. And today we're talking to one of our favourite physicist, the amazing David Tong, about 100 years of #quantum mechanics and more! plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #mathematics

Maths in a minute: Correlation versus causation Wet cats don't cause umbrellas and umbrellas don't cause wet cats.

It's been raining outside and the cat came home wet. People are also carrying umbrellas. Which reminds us that #correlation isn't #causation plus.maths.org/content/math... #maths #mathematics #statistics

Today's door of our #adventcalendar: explaining #quantum mechanics in as few words as we could get away with plus.maths.org/content/adve...

Reality gets decidedly wobbly behind door #4 of our #advent calendar! plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #mathematics #quantum #physics

Behind today's door of our #adventcalendar we meet the most famous cat in all of science! plus.maths.org/content/adve...

Intuitive mathematics Can a mathematical object be said to exist if you can't construct it?

#OTD in 1966 mathematician L.E.J. Brouwer passed away. Among other things he developed "intuitionism", an approach to #maths which rejects proofs by contradiction. It's fascinating! Find out more in this article plus.maths.org/content/intu... #philosophy #mathematics

Rob Eastaway: Shakespeare's mathematical life and times In this episode of Maths on the Move we talk to our friend Rob Eastaway about his book Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare's mathematical life and times.

If you're interested in the connection between #maths and #shakespeare then listen to our #podcast featuring @robeastaway.bsky.social talking about his fascinating book on the topic plus.maths.org/content/rob-...

Is it waves? Or is it particles? Find out with today's door of our #adventcalendar plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #quantum #mathematics

Do you communicate, or have a stake in communicating, complex #maths and data science? Then you might be interested in our conference on Jan 29, 2026 at @NewtonInstitute, organised with @NewtonGateway. Registration is now open! gateway.newton.ac.uk/event/tgm156/

Woohooo! The 1st door of our #AdventCalendar can now be opened! This year the calendar celebrates 100 years of #quantum mechanics. But don't worry, we're off to a gentle start plus.maths.org/content/adve...

Cat

Our #adventcalendar2025 is now live! We know it's sill November but we couldn't resist. This year we celebrate 100 years of #quantum mechanics. Come and enjoy this most marvellous combination of #maths and nature! plus.maths.org/content/adve...

Carola is a favourite colleague here at Cambridge! Here are some more videos with her by @leverhulme.ac.uk and @expeditions.bsky.social together with some articles about Carola's #maths plus.maths.org/content/meet... #mathematics

Reminds me of 17 years ago... plus.maths.org/content/edit...

Metallic numbers: Beyond the golden ratio You've heard of the golden ratio but have you heard of the silver ratio? And all its other cousins called the metallic numbers? Read this article to meet the family!

You might have heard of the golden ratio, but do you know the silver ratio? And other metallic ratios? Find out more here plus.maths.org/content/silv... #maths #mathematics

Listening and Responding to Public Interest: A Mathsci-comm Network Event - Newton Gateway to Mathematics This one-day workshop, organised on behalf of the Mathsci-comm Network, will explore how the communication of research in mathematics and data science to...

Do you communicate, or have a stake in communicating, complex #maths and data science? Then you might be interested in our conference on Jan 29, 2026 at @NewtonInstitute, organised with @NewtonGateway. Registration is now open! gateway.newton.ac.uk/event/tgm156/

Carola is a colleague who does amazing work on the #maths of information. We love these videos courtesy of @joinExpeditions and and The Leverhulme Trust where she talks about her work plus.maths.org/content/meet...

Living Proof: Céline Broeckaert and Frank Verstraete In this episode of Living Proof we talk to a playwright and a physicist about a book they have written together on the marvellous but tricky theory of quantum mechanics!

What do you get when a physicist writes a book with a theatre and film person? Something we all can understand! Even if it is about #quantum #physics. Find out more in the latest episode of our #podcast plus.maths.org/content/livi...

Adventures in Model Land Would you like to play a game? Have an adventure? Join us on an adventure in Model Land!

How do you know whether a mathematical model of a real-world process is accurate? How do you explain it to others? One way is to imagine you're living inside it! Join us for an adventure in model land in the latest episode of our #podcast plus.maths.org/content/adve... #maths #math

But it turns out that there are physical phenomena which possess symmetries that group theory can't describe (for example certain types of phase transition). And it's here that you need to reach for category theory. We'll report more on this soon! #maths #math #physics

Groups: The basics Group theory is the mathematics of symmetry and structure. On this page, find out what a group is and how to think about them.

Symmetries are usually described by an area of #maths called group theory, quick intro here plus.maths.org/content/grou... #maths #physics