3+ mon, 1+ week ago (531+ words) Math Breakthroughs from Behind Bars People in prisons and jails have contributed to some of the greatest ideas in mathematics By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas In 2014 Mura Yakerson, a college student at the time, decided to practice driving in a quiet area in the countryside near Saint Petersburg, Russia. Then something went wrong. While she was pulling out of a parking space, Yakerson accidentally damaged another car. This incident turned out to be the beginning of a nightmare. Yakerson is not alone. Several renowned mathematicians gained invaluable experience despite the challenges of incarceration. As the ancient Greek philosopher and historian Plutarch noted while describing the accomplishments of the scholar Anaxagoras, "There is no place that can take away the happiness of man, nor yet his virtue or wisdom." In the fifth century B.C.E., Greek philosopher Anaxagoras refused to recognize…...

2+ day, 8+ min ago (239+ words) Math Puzzle: The Ancient City The mathematician, who liked to annoy friends with improvised brainteasers, thought for a moment or two, then raised a glass and recited: A rose-red city half as old as Time.One billion years ago the city's ageWas just two fifths of what Time's age will beA billion years from now. Can you computeHow old the crimson city is today? The English professor had long ago forgotten algebra and quickly shifted the conversation to another topic, but readers of this department should have no difficulty with the problem. The rose-red city's age is seven billion years. Let x be the city's present age and y be the present age of Time. A billion years ago the city would have been x " 1 billion years old, and a billion years from now Time's age will be y + 1. The…...