22/7 and the Approximation of Irrational Numbers

22/7 and the Approximation of Irrational Numbers

Irrational numbers are somewhat difficult to work with. Unfortunately, they’re also quite useful and crop up both in pure and applied mathematics, and tons of places you may not expect. When written in decimal form, they result in an infinite sequence of numbers with no apparent pattern. If we round or truncate this number, we lose accuracy and introduce some level of error into any calculation.

Mountains, Cliffs, and Caves: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Perlin Noise for Procedural Generation

Mountains, Cliffs, and Caves: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Perlin Noise for Procedural Generation

Procedural generation is everywhere—you’ve probably encountered it without even realising. It’s what gives in-game worlds their rolling hills, jagged cliffs, and winding cave systems. And at the heart of it all is Perlin noise: a special kind of randomness that isn’t entirely random at all. It’s smooth where it needs to be, rough when we want it to be, and endlessly customizable.

The Bridges of Königsberg

The Bridges of Königsberg

The sun dipped low over the bustling City of Königsberg, casting golden reflections over the Pregel River. Its waters divided the town into four distinct land masses, connected by seven foot-bridges that had become a curious point of both pride and frustration for its residents. By day, the bridges bustled with merchants and townsfolk, but as the evenings drew in, they became the source of a mysterious puzzle. Could someone, starting from any point on land, cross each of the seven bridges exactly once and return to where they began? It may sound simple, almost trivial, yet no matter how the townspeople tried, no one could find a solution.

Information at a Glance: Do Your Charts Suck?

Information at a Glance: Do Your Charts Suck?

Let’s face it: that report you worked on — nobody’s actually going to read it.
In the best-case scenario, people might skim through it, pausing briefly under the allure of a brightly-coloured diagram.
But if you’ve designed your diagrams properly, a brief glance is all someone should need to understand what the data is saying — at least at a high level.

The Hunt For Prime Numbers

The Hunt For Prime Numbers

Prime numbers are among the most intriguing puzzles in mathematics — seemingly random yet deeply significant.
Their elusive pattern defies easy detection, making them both a source of fascination and frustration. The challenge grows exponentially with larger numbers, where determining if a number is prime becomes immensely time-consuming.
However, some clever shortcuts can speed up the search and help us swiftly eliminate impostors.

What if an Infinite Number of Spaceships Arrive at Hilbert’s Hotel?

What if an Infinite Number of Spaceships Arrive at Hilbert’s Hotel?

Suppose you’ve just been hired as the new manager of Hilbert’s Infinite Hotel.
On your first day, you arrive at work only to be greeted by an infinitely long line of people in the lobby each expecting a room.
The Problem? All of the infinite number of rooms are already occupied by an infinite number of guests. The Infinite Hotel is full.