Maths for everyone
Articles at an accessible level on varied mathematical topics
CNRS public consultation: how French people relate to mathematics
33,000 citizens took part in the CNRS's major nationwide consultation on mathematics. Discover what this landmark survey reveals about access to maths.
Training Insee staff: ENSAE, ENSAI and Cefil
Insee trains its staff at three schools with admission by competitive examination: ENSAE, ENSAI and Cefil. Their multidisciplinary programs in statistics, economics and computer science prepare students for data careers.
History of official statistics: from antiquity to Insee
A look back at the evolution of counting and enumeration methods, from ancient Rome to the creation of Insee in 1946.
A tribute to Jacqueline Ferrand | Tangente
In November 2023, a room named after Jacqueline Ferrand opened in the mathematics and computer science library at ENS Ulm.
Rediscovered manuscripts… or not! | Tangente
In early February, Türkiye Today announced the discovery of lost manuscripts by Apollonius: Books V and VII, hitherto unknown and now rediscovered in an Arabic translation.
Martin Gardner, mathematical influencer | Tangente
While it is true that Martin Gardner never took a mathematics course at university, he spent his life studying the subject through his work as a journalist, ultimately receiving numerous honors from the mathematical community.
A century ago: equal access to the baccalauréat | Tangente
Exactly 100 years ago, girls' secondary schools were authorized to offer the same curriculum as boys' schools. Girls could now officially prepare for the baccalauréat there without having to take supplementary classes.
Maths-Vives: Mathematics takes on major challenges | Tangente
What role can mathematics play in tackling the societal challenges of today and tomorrow? The "Mathematics in Interaction" (Maths-Vives) research program aims to provide practical answers to this question.
Thales’ children
Many proofs in elementary geometry rely on proportionality. Almost all of geometry’s classic theorems involve it: Thales, Ptolemy, Menelaus, Ceva, Pappus… Here is a brief tour of these great problems.
In Euclid's work
Ancient geometers struggled to handle ratios of lengths or areas that were not necessarily commensurable, because they could not conceive of irrational numbers. The definition found in Euclid's Elements remained in use until the 19th century.
Rediscovering proportionality
Proportionality often brings to mind the rule of three—in other words, a method of calculation. Yet the concept first emerged in geometry, through the study of similar figures, a cornerstone of many theorems that gave rise to the idea of incommensurable quantities.
A (good) Babylonian approximation
The Babylonians have always been renowned as brilliant mathematicians, and the clay tablets that have survived sometimes bear dazzling witness to their skill.
An exhibition to set up near you | Tangente
"Why do we lean into turns?" is the title of an exhibition accompanying the release of Amandine Aftalion's book.
One Saturday a month at "Math Park": Math brief… | Tangente
The "Mathematic Park" series was launched by Xavier Caruso in 2003. Initially aimed at high school students but run on a fairly small scale, it moved to the Institut Henri-Poincaré (Paris, 5th arrondissement) in 2011.
Did you say “Myriogon”? — Mathematics brief | Tangente
Myriogon is a YouTube channel run by a team of mathematics communicators: Stephen Barcelo, Chloé Bouchaour, Robin Jamet, Mickael Launay and Roger Mansuy
Animath turns 25: mathematics news brief | Tangente
On March 16 this year, the Animath association celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Institut Henri-Poincaré.
A fine remainder
Replacing the function itself with a Taylor expansion is justified only if this approximation does not alter the calculation of the properties being studied, whether a limit, an upper bound, or something else. The behavior of the remainder is therefore important.
Some troubling counterexamples
Think you know everything about asymptotic expansions? Here are a few perplexing counterexamples...
Japanese multiplication | Tangente
How can you multiply without a calculator—or even knowing your multiplication tables?
A brand-new game | Tangente
"What's New?... in the Henhouse!" is the latest game from Julien le Magicien. The aim is to make 9 by combining several cards.