The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. So far this year, Quanta has chronicled three major advances in Ramsey theory, the study of how to avoid creating mathematical patterns.
From thousands to millions to billions to trillions to quadrillions and beyond: Do numbers ever end?
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The number zero was a relatively recent and crucial addition − it allows numbers to extend in both directions forever.
Some results have been hidden because they may be inaccessible to you
Show inaccessible results