Mathematics | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/mathematics/RSS feed for MathematicsenWed, 04 Nov 2026 12:30:00 +0000The Four-Color Theorem Has Haunted Mathematicians for Decades. It Just Got a Rare New Proof, but Some Still Long for a Simpler Solutionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-four-color-theorem-has-haunted-mathematicians-for-decades-it-just-got-a-rare-new-proof-but-some-still-long-for-a-simpler-solution-180989799/The famous problem asks whether a map can be filled in with only four colors such that the same color never borders itself. It has been solved with the help of computers, but some experts suggest an elusive, short answer is out thereWed, 04 Nov 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-four-color-theorem-has-haunted-mathematicians-for-decades-it-just-got-a-rare-new-proof-but-some-still-long-for-a-simpler-solution-180989799/It's Official: Timekeepers Have Gotten Rid of the Leap Second—and Introduced the Leap Hour Insteadhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/its-official-timekeepers-have-gotten-rid-of-the-leap-second-and-introduced-the-leap-hour-instead-180989685/Since 1972, experts have added 27 seconds to Coordinated Universal Time to keep it aligned with Earth's rotation, but it has been an imperfect fixThu, 15 Oct 2026 20:43:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/its-official-timekeepers-have-gotten-rid-of-the-leap-second-and-introduced-the-leap-hour-instead-180989685/Centuries Ago, an Architect Characterized the Parthenon’s Curves as a Clever Optical Illusion. Now, a Mathematician Begs to Differhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/centuries-ago-an-architect-characterized-the-parthenons-curves-as-a-clever-optical-illusion-now-a-mathematician-begs-to-differ-180989520/In the first century B.C.E., Vitruvius wrote that the Acropolis’ largest temple was horizontally bowed so that it didn't seem to sag, and that explanation persisted for millennia. New research suggests a different reasonFri, 18 Sep 2026 17:11:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/centuries-ago-an-architect-characterized-the-parthenons-curves-as-a-clever-optical-illusion-now-a-mathematician-begs-to-differ-180989520/