There are "costs of life" that mechanical physics cannot calculate. A clear example is the energy required to keep specific biochemical processes active—such as those that make up photosynthesis, ...

When Edsger W. Dijkstra published his algorithm in 1959, computer networks were barely a thing. The algorithm in question found the shortest path between any two nodes on a graph, with a variant ...

Living cells pay a hidden energy price not just to run chemical reactions, but to keep them on track and block all the alternatives. A new thermodynamic framework makes it possible to calculate these ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Computer scientists often deal with abstract problems that are hard to comprehend, but an exciting new algorithm matters to anyone who ...

Learn what the relative strength index (RSI) is, how it works, and how to read overbought and oversold signals, along with the formula behind this popular indicator.

The Treasury Stock Method is a widely used accounting technique that helps companies calculate the potential impact of outstanding stock options and warrants on their earnings per share (EPS). By ...

The Rule of 78 can be used by lenders to calculate interest that could significantly impact how much you end up paying over the life of a loan. Unlike the standard amortization method, the Rule of 78 ...