Dr Vicky Neale's latest book is about why people should study mathematics - but why did SHE study mathematics? Dr Neale's website - with links to her work and books and craft Why Study Mathematics - book on Amazon Vicky's author page on Amazon Vicky's craft, including the prime bracelets Support Numberphile on Patreon like these people do With thanks to MSRI Podcast Transcripts...
Author and puzzle guru Alex Bellos talks about mathematics, writing, reviews, and his early days running a nightclub. Check out Alex's books on Amazon including his latest, The Language Lover's Puzzle Book Alex's website has more information and links to his work and here is Alex on Twitter Playlist of Alex's videos on Numberphile Elliptical Pool Table video and Cake Cutting video Please consider supporting Numberphile on Patreon With thanks to MSRI...
School teacher Bobby Seagull is well-known for appearing on a quiz show - but there's much more to his story. Episode sponsored by Brilliant - brilliant.org/numberphile Bobby Seagull's website Bobby on Twitter Bobby's book The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers National Numeracy West Ham Utd Watch Bobby on University Challenge Support Numberphile on Patreon With thanks to MSRI Podcast Transcripts...
Nursery Rhymes and Numbers - with Alan Stewart A team of composers and musicians have joined forces to re-imagine classic nursery rhymes with new counts, timings and tempos. It's dubbed Tuplets for Toddlers, and has been led Numberphile's resident composer Alan Stewart. Check out the album on Amazon On iTunes Spotify And on Bandcamp An old interview with Alan can be found here A couple of Brady's favourite videos scored by Alan include this one from Mt Everest and this one from Chile - but there...
Economist Tim Harford on the importance of numbers and statistics. Tim Harford's website has links to most of his projects Tim's book How to Make the World Add Up - signed copies on Maths Gear Tim Harford books on Amazon Tim's video on Numberphile Support Numberphile on Patreon With thanks to MSRI...
Sir Roger Penrose is one of the biggest names in mathematics AND physics. Here he talks about sibling rivalry, Stephen Hawking, having ideas, and toilet paper. Roger Penrose Wikipedia Roger Penrose books - Amazon The Order of Merit The Theory of Everything - 2014 movie about Stephen Hawking Penrose Tiling Penrose Toilet Paper The San Francisco Transit Center with its Penrose Tiling With thanks to MSRI Support us on Patreon...
Dr Katie Steckles is a mainstay of the mathematics communications scene and a regular in our videos. Here she discusses her life at school, university, and now as a freelance maths communicator. Plus life as a pirate. Katie Steckles website Follow Katie on Twitter Talking Maths in Public Check out Katie's videos on Numberphile Support this podcast - and our videos - via Patreon With thanks to MSRI Apologies for the change in audio quality part way through - we had technical issues! Podcast Trans...
This episode pays tribute to the late mathematician Ron Graham, remembered not only for his significant contributions to combinatorics, including Graham's Number, but also for his charismatic personality. Guests share stories of his mentorship, his love for juggling, and his unique ability to connect with people and make mathematics accessible and exciting. The discussion highlights his persistence in problem-solving, his leadership in professional societies, and his enduring legacy as a "mathematical showman."
This episode features Simon Pampena, Australia's National Numeracy Ambassador, discussing his unique career path. He recounts his geeky childhood, early fascinations with Star Wars and theoretical physics, and his eventual discovery of performance through comedy. Simon explains how he transitioned from a statistician to a celebrated science communicator, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and the inherent joy of making mathematics accessible and human.
Teacher and math populariser Ben Sparks shares insights into growing up as an identical twin and how this shaped his identity and musical collaborations. He recounts his academic path through Oxford, initially struggling with pure math, and his serendipitous discovery of a passion for teaching and public math communication. The episode explores his diverse career, from classroom teaching to a flexible freelance and AMSP role, emphasizing the importance of motivation in learning and the unique challenges of addressing different audiences.
Numberphile's Matt Parker faces a spontaneous "Parker Quiz" prepared by Brady Haran, tailored to his interests and career. The quiz covers diverse topics from famous mathematicians and movie trivia to the "Parker Square," his comedy group "Festival of the Spoken Nerd," and various sports and Australian facts. Despite Matt's recent quiz fatigue, the episode offers a lighthearted and entertaining exploration of mathematical and general knowledge.
Grant Sanderson from 3Blue1Brown discusses his new live-streamed math lessons for high school students, a significant shift from his usual meticulously produced videos. He explains the motivations behind this change, including the pandemic and collaborative tools for interactive learning, and reflects on embracing imperfection in live teaching. Grant also shares his mathematical insights into the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for privacy-preserving contact tracing apps as a plausible solution, and discusses the Objectivity channel.
A moving tribute to mathematician John Horton Conway, who passed away at 82. Through interviews with his biographer Siobhan Roberts and fellow mathematicians, the episode delves into Conway's extraordinary character, from his love for stunts and unconventional teaching to his philosophical views on mathematics. It highlights his vast contributions, personal struggles, and ultimate peace with his impactful legacy, including the Game of Life and surreal numbers.
Dr Hannah Fry made a film two years ago which predicted the coronavirus pandemic with chilling accuracy. Dr Hannah Fry's website - links to all her stuff The BBC Contagion special on iPlayer If it doesn't work on iPlayer, this is a version I found on YouTube!? Numberphile video about the SIR curve with Ben Sparks Numberphile discusses coronavirus mathematics with Kit Yates False Positives on Numberphile with Lisa Goldberg PAPER: Contacts in context: large-scale setting-specific social mixing mat...
Mathematical biologist Kit Yates discussing the coronavirus pandemic. Kit Yates website Kit on Twitter The Royal Society's call to arms for mathematicians NHS advice on Coronavirus and COVID-19 Ben Sparks on Numberphile - The Coronavirus Curve 3blue1brown on the exponential growth of epidemics Simulating an epidemic with 3blue1brown Tom Crawford on the SIR Model Kurzgesagt on COVID-19 Extended presentation by Nick Jewell for MSRI With thanks to MSRI Support our content via Patreon...
From Illinois to Cambridgeshire, Holly Krieger’s path to mathematics was an unusual one. Holly’s webpage And her publications Watch Holly on Numberphile Math or Maths? Champaign, Illinois With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound Podcast Transcripts...
Edward Frenkel's fascinating mathematical journey - from the Soviet Union to the United States. Edward's website Love and Math - Edward's book via Amazon Edward on Twitter His videos on Numberphile Artificial Intelligence: First Person Perspective Coffin Problems paper (aka Jewish Problems) Rites of Love and Math - the film About the film and its Formula of Love Frenkel research papers With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound...
Oxford Professor James Maynard shares his unexpected path to mathematics, from a childhood filled with diverse ambitions to becoming a leading expert in prime numbers. He details the collaborative efforts and challenges in tackling problems like the Twin Prime Conjecture, offers a candid look into his daily research process, and explains why primes are the 'atoms of arithmetic,' highlighting their fundamental importance and the field's biggest open questions.
Fame and Admiration - with Timothy Gowers Fields Medallist Sir Timothy Gowers discusses his career - and the role of ‘begrudging admiration’ in mathematics. Sir Timothy Gowers webpage at Cambridge Timothy Gowers blog And his Twitter The Fields Medal Terminator 2 The unconditional basic sequence problem Szemerédi's theorem Tim Gowers International Math Olympiad results The Fields Medal with Cédric Villani - Numberphile With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound...
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Neil Sloane, the mastermind behind the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS). Sloane shares his fascinating life journey, from his challenging post-war childhood in Wales and migration to Australia, through his academic pursuits at Cornell, to his distinguished career at Bell Labs. He vividly recounts the OEIS's humble beginnings as a personal collection of number sequences, its gradual expansion through physical publications, and its eventual transformation into an indispensable online tool used by mathematicians and scientists worldwide. The discussion also touches upon the OEIS Foundation, its community of volunteers, and Sloane's favorite sequences.
Steven Strogatz shares his profound emotional connection to Isaac Newton's original calculus manuscripts, reflecting on Newton's genius and human struggles. He demystifies calculus for a general audience, tracing its origins from ancient problems of curved shapes and motion to its pervasive influence in the modern world, from rocket science to medicine. The episode delves into the famous Newton-Leibniz priority dispute, their differing approaches, and how calculus, now called "analysis," continues to be a cutting-edge field while also confronting its future with powerful computers. Strogatz also candidly discusses the challenges of writing his book "Infinite Powers" and the importance of highlighting calculus's real-world impact.
From a difficult school to serving two terms as president of the juggling club - James Grime discusses his mathematical journey. James Grime website - includes a section to book his talks A selection of James’ videos on Numberphile James’ own channel - Singing Banana James discusses The Little Professor The first proper Numberphile video from 2011 Filming at a gritty, urban underpass Status: Black Eagle James talks about Enigma Brady’s Bibledex With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound...
John Urschel is studying for a PhD in mathematics - and played three seasons of professional football in the NFL. Mind and Matter - by John Urschel and Louisa Thomas - on Amazon Book on the publisher's website John's math publications John's NFL stats With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound Numberphile merchandise...
Mathematician David Eisenbud offers a captivating look into the world of professional mathematics, detailing his journey from a childhood prodigy to the director of MSRI. He discusses his early education, influential mentors, the changing landscape of academia, and the process of leading a renowned research institute. The episode also delves into the unique personalities, challenges, and collaborative spirit that define the pursuit of mathematical truth, touching upon famous conjectures and the evolving nature of mathematical work across a career.
Standup mathematician Matt Parker opens his heart to reveal... a standup comedian who loves mathematics. This is the link for 'Humble Pi' - signed first-edition hardback Matt Parker videos on Numberphile Matt's website The notorious Parker Square video Parker Square T-Shirts via Numberphile on Teespring The Malls Balls With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound You can support Numberphile on Patreon A note: Humble Pi will be released at different times in different countries, but you can get your signed co...
Author and campaigner Simon Singh talks about his fascinating career, a famous legal case, and his attempts to change the way mathematics is taught in UK schools. Simon Singh's website - links to all sorts of stuff Watch Simon's videos on Numberphile parallel - as discussed on the show Simon's books on Amazon Quest for a new £50 note Brady's video with suggestion for the £50 British Chiropractic Association v Singh - via Wikipedia With thanks to: MSRI and episode sponsor Meyer Sound Brady’s othe...
Computer hackers, Klein bottles and searching for a lost teacher - Cliff Stoll is a man with stories to tell. Cliff's Klein bottle website The man with 1000 Klein bottles under this house Cliff Stoll videos on Numberphile The Cuckoo's Egg by Cliff Stoll Silicon Snake Oil by Cliff Stoll Boing Boing article about Cliff's predictions With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound Also check out Numberphile on Patreon Numberphile T-Shirts and stuff...
Math celebrity Hannah Fry tells us about her life as public intellectual and thought leader - plus her as-yet unreleased novel 'Free as a Bird', written as a schoolgirl. Hannah's website - including links to her papers Numberphile videos featuring Hannah Fry Hannah Fry books on Amazon US Hannah Fry books on Amazon UK Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry Thanks to BBC 6 Music for the clip from Shaun Keaveny's show With thanks to MSRI Meyer Sound...
Ken Ribet, President of the American Mathematical Society, discusses his pivotal contribution to the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, bridging elliptic curves and modular forms. He shares his unconventional path into mathematics, his experiences at Berkeley, and the intense atmosphere when Andrew Wiles finally revealed his complete proof. Ribet also reflects on the role of academic leadership, the importance of open research, and his passion for teaching and student mentorship.
Grant Sanderson makes incredibly popular math videos - but his views on math education may surprise you. 3blue1brown on YouTube Grant's 'Hope Diamond' Eye The actual Hope Diamond With thanks to... MSRI Meyer Sound Podcast by Brady Haran...
