Mathematics Archives - Fact / Myth

Mathematics is the study of using numbers and measurement to understand the world.

There are more possible iterations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the known universe Fact

The claim that a game of chess has more possible iterations than atoms in the known universe is valid. While the number of atoms in the universe is incomprehensibly large, the possibilities in a game of chess are even more remarkable.

There are No Straight Lines or Perfect Circles Fact

Straight lines and perfect circles don’t exist in reality, they are mathematical abstractions.

There is a Limit to How Many Times You Can Fold a Piece Paper Myth

There is no limit to the amount of times one can fold a piece of paper in half if the paper is large enough. However, because the thickness of the paper grows exponentially, a lot of paper would be needed to make more than 8 folds.

Slots Account for More Revenue than all other Casino Games Combined Fact

According to 2016 data, slot machines account for more revenue than all other casino games combined, and penny slots account for more revenue than any other casino game.

Fibonacci Introduced the Modern Numeral System to Europe Fact

Leonardo Fibonacci introduced the modern decimal numeral system (the Hindu–Arabic numeral system) to Europe in 1202. Before this Roman numerals were used.

The More Instances Considered, The More Theoretical and Actual Results Converge Fact

The law of large numbers says, the more instances of a probable event that are considered, the more the theoretical and actual results converge.

Probability Theory Was Invented to Solve a Gambling Problem Fact

Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat invented probability theory in 1654 to solve a gambling problem related to expected outcomes.

Ramanujan Had no Formal Training Fact

Srinivasa Ramanujan had no formal mathematics training in his early years. He did his research in isolation, rediscovering old theorems and producing new ones.

Einstein Was a Poor Student Myth

Einstein wasn’t a poor student. Despite minor troubles in French and the Humanities, Einstein was a prodigy in math and physics from a young age.

Benoît Mandelbrot Coined the Term “Fractal” Fact

Benoît Mandelbrot coined the term “fractal” in 1975 to describe the naturally occurring, never-ending, infinitely complex, [often] self-similar, geometric patterns, which look “fractured” or “broken.”