Fitting Electric Bells

Bells, Motels and Permutation Groups

This article is about the mathematics of ringing the changes. We describe the mathematics which arises from a real-world activity, that of ringing the changes on bells. We present Rankin’s solution of one of the famous old problems in the subject.

New alarm bells

Some species do appear to practise construction skills — birds in particular — and to require some mental flexibility in starting the process. But ultimately, animals build the way they do because they are genetically programmed to do so, Hansell concludes. But evolution can lead to surprising results. Hansell notes that most of our closest primate relatives create little more than temporary sh...

Alarm bells louden

Previous progress towards instituting carbon emission caps in the US have been derailed by fears (voiced most prominently by the current administration) that such regulations would stifle the American economy. There has been progress, however, as exemplified by the bipartisan support for the Lieberman– Warner Climate Stewardship Act, which, while not reaching a full vote by the Senate this year...

Groups and Bells

We describe the mathematics which arises from a real-world activity, that of ringing the changes on bells. We present Rankin's solution of one of the famous old problems in the subject, and some open questions.

Foot and mouth alarm bells