New Series from Quanta Magazine Explores the Infinite Evolution of Math

Math is always reinventing itself. In the late 19th century, its foundations were still shaky, its definitions and assumptions vague and uncertain. Mathematicians spent decades fixing the problem, setting the course of the modern era. But they never stopped questioning their most basic assumptions. In “The Evolving Foundations of Math”, a new special series launched today, Quanta Magazine explores how mathematicians are still renovating and rebuilding the core pillars of their field.

The series, led by Math Editor Jordana Cepelewicz, consists of four chapters, each published monthly. The first chapter, “Original Sin”, tells the story of new evidence of a shocking betrayal at the dawn of modern math. In “The Man Who Stole Infinity”, a trove of unearthed letters between math icon Georg Cantor and the lesser known Richard Dedekind reveals a stunning act of plagiarism.

The series’ first chapter also includes a visual explainer, “How Can Infinity Come in Many Sizes?”, which breaks down the mind-boggling mathematical concept that some infinities are bigger than others.

Altogether, the series will include eight new pieces of original reporting and storytelling in the lead-up to July’s International Congress of Mathematicians, during which mathematicians from around the world will gather in Philadelphia. The stories examine the very bedrock of mathematics, from its tumultuous history to its evolving future. The series will also feature stories from Quanta’s archives and a video about the nature of infinity.

“The idea that math is some fixed, immutable edifice has never been right. It’s always changing, and mathematicians are constantly reexamining their own assumptions, even ones they hold dear,” says Cepelewicz. “This series of stories offers a glimpse of how modern research mathematics became what it is today — and what it might be tomorrow.”

“The Evolving Foundations of Math” is the fourth in an ambitious lineup of special series that Quanta has released over the last two years. September 2024’s “The Unraveling of Space-Time” received the National Magazine Award for Best Single-Topic Issue.

“Projects like these let us double down on the depth of our reporting and storytelling and build a deep, complex picture of a field,” says Quanta Editor-in-Chief Samir Patel. “It’s inspiring, edifying and mind-bending all at once, and we can’t wait to share all of these features with readers.”

Cepelewicz and Patel are available for media interviews about the series.

Quanta Magazine is an award-winning, editorially independent online publication of the Simons Foundation.