“In an 1874 paper, Georg Cantor proved that there are different sizes of infinity and changed math forever. A trove of newly unearthed letters shows that it was also an act of plagiarism.”
mathematics
Posted inCuration
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we feature stories from Gordy Megroz, Max Blau and Zaydee Sanchez, Brendan I. Koerner, Lora Eli Smith, and Pat Cassels.
Posted inEditor's Pick
Have We Been Measuring Mountains All Wrong?
“A new method for quantifying grandeur is reshuffling the pecking order of the planet’s most impressive peaks. Turns out Everest has steep competition.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
At 17, Hannah Cairo Solved a Major Math Mystery
“After finding the homeschooling life confining, the teen petitioned her way into a graduate class at Berkeley, where she ended up disproving a 40-year-old conjecture.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Meet Alex, the Russian Casino Hacker Who Makes Millions Targeting Slot Machines
A look into the mind of a mathematician-turned-hacker who milks slot machines in casinos around the world.