Algorithms are the fundamental procedures that guide computers in solving problems, from simple calculations to complex data analysis. At their core, an algorithm is a set of step-by-step instructions ...

A group of computer gamers are making habit of outshining scientists at their own game. Most of them have no scientific background, but they have a track record of cracking tough scientific puzzles, ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. For computer scientists, solving problems is a bit like mountaineering. First they must choose a problem to solve—akin to identifying a ...