Mathematics is often seen as a world of numbers, equations, and formulas—but it’s much more than that! It’s the language of the universe, shaping everything from the patterns in nature to the way we build skyscrapers. Here are 25 interesting facts about maths that prove just how incredible and surprising this subject really is.
25 Interesting Facts About Maths
1. Zero wasn’t always part of math.
The concept of zero was first used in ancient India. Before that, civilizations like the Greeks and Romans had no symbol for “nothing.”
2. The word “mathematics” comes from Greek
It originates from the Greek word mathema, meaning “knowledge” or “learning.”
3. Pi (π) never ends
The number π = 3.14159… goes on forever without repeating. Computers have calculated trillions of its digits!
4. A circle has infinite symmetry
Every point around a circle can be rotated and still look exactly the same.
5. 111,111,111 × 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
This incredible pattern shows the beauty of numbers!
6. The Fibonacci sequence appears in nature
You’ll find it in pinecones, sunflower seeds, and even galaxies.
7. “Forty” is the only number with its letters in alphabetical order
8. “One” is the only number spelled with letters in reverse order
9. The equals sign was invented in 1557
Robert Recorde created “=” to overcome writing “is equal to” repeatedly.
10. Roman numerals don’t include zero
That’s why they were less efficient for complex calculations.
The Google Name: The company name “Google” is a misspelling of “Googol,” which is the number 1 followed by 100 zeros ($10^{100}$). This reflects the founders’ mission to organize the immense amount of information on the internet.
11. A googol is a massive number
It’s a 1 followed by 100 zeros—far greater than the number of atoms in the observable universe.
12. The word “hundred” comes from “hundrath.”
An old Norse term meaning “ten times ten.”
13. Multiplying 9 has a cool trick
Any number multiplied by 9 has digits that add up to 9 (e.g., 9×3=27 → 2+7=9).
14. A palindrome number reads the same backward
For example, 12321 or 4554.
15. There are infinitely many prime numbers
No matter how far you count, there’s always another one!
16. “Jiffy” is a real unit of time
In physics, a jiffy equals one hundredth of a second.
17. Chess has more possible moves than atoms in the universe
That’s around 10⁴⁰ possible positions!
18. The number 2 is the only even prime
Every other even number can be divided by 2, so only 2 is prime.
19. There’s a shape with infinite sides
As the number of sides in a polygon increases, it becomes closer to a circle.
20. The Pythagorean theorem works for any right triangle
It’s one of the most famous formulas in history: a² + b² = c².
21. You can’t divide by zero
It breaks the rules of math and leads to undefined results.
22. Sudoku is based on Latin squares
A concept developed by mathematician Leonhard Euler.
23. Probability can predict the future
From weather forecasts to stock markets, math helps us make informed guesses.
24. The number “7” appears most often in human choice
It’s the world’s favorite number—psychologists call it the “lucky bias.”
25. Maths is the foundation of technology
From smartphones to rockets, everything we use relies on mathematical principles.
Curious by nature, storyteller by choice. I run Interesting Facts to bring you mind-blowing stories, hidden truths, and fascinating insights from around the globe. If it makes you say “Wow, I never knew that!”—my job is done.
Laiba Hanif is a professional fact-finder and the writer behind “Interesting Facts.” Fueled by a degree in Anthropology and over five years of experience unearthing hidden truths, she specializes in digging up the most bizarre, fascinating, and mind-bending tidbits the world has to offer. She’s here to prove that reality is stranger—and more amazing—than fiction.
