A Problem Squared

120 = Dealing Probability and Healing Gullibility Oct 27, 2025

🃏 What are the odds of actually winning Morgan’s very specific, very fun card game?

🤯 Are people more gullible now? And what are the best ways to persuade someone they are wrong?

👻 And, appropriate to the season, there will be some Any Other Boooooooooooooosness

If you have some ingenious suggestions of what Matt can do in lunar gravity, head to www.aproblemsquared.com and submit your idea as a ‘Solution’

Head to our socials to see Matt’s graph plot and stats on the odds of winning the card game, as well as Bec’s beautifully laid out existence proof of the 52 Card Game!

Some further reading on The Gullibility Problem:

Why are people so gullible? https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20160323-why-are-people-so-incredibly-gullible

Research paper on political extremism: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797612464058

Nobel Disease: https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Nobel_disease

And some tetrahedron-shaped packaging - or TetraPaks, if you will:

TetraPak: https://www.tetrapak.com/solutions/packaging/packages

SunnyBoys: https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/2016-goodbye-sunnyboy/

See Matt on tour! http://standupmaths.com/shows

And if you want to see Matt in London on Monday 1st December, tickets are here: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/matt-parker/

Or if you want to see Bec in Brighton on Monday 1st December, tickets are here: https://www.komedia.co.uk/shows/john-luke-roberts-geoffrey-chaucers-mediaeval-christmas-festivitye/

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

119 = Proportions by Bananas and Polygons from Lava Oct 13, 2025

🍌 Is there a more consistent system of measuring things (and is it ‘Banana For Scale’)?

🌋 Why and how do hexagons occur in nature?

🔔 And there will be a whole Bec of Any Other Becness

Head to our socials to see Matt and Bec playing The Metre Game, lots of bananas for scale, and Matt sporting some very fetching headwear.

Some further reading on the origins of ‘Banana For Scale’:

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/banana-for-scale

Some further reading on hexagons in basalt:

European Geoscience Union article:

https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/ts/2023/05/26/features-from-the-field-columnar-basalts-and-why-hexagons-are-natures-favourite-shape/

Physical Review Letters:

https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.154301

See Matt on tour!

http://standupmaths.com/shows

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt:

https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

118 = Rolling Eyes and Juggling Highs Sep 29, 2025

🎲 What are the odds of rolling snake eyes? (And does it make for good TV?)

🤹How long does it take to learn to juggle with seven balls?

🛌 And there’s some Any Other Bed’n’Boardness

Head to our socials to see Matt and Bec in action, rolling dice and juggling balls!

To find out more about our juggling expert Darryl J Carrington, head to his insta: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPTqhTwDEeb/?igsh=MXdyMDJvNGhma2ZtNg==

And here’s Colin Wright’s video about Sideswap: “Juggling by Numbers - Numberphile” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dwgusHjA0Y

Here are Jasper’s links (in Dutch and in English) about the Belgian family and their children’s themed names

https://vrtnws.be/p.NvjDVZw5w (Dutch)

https://www.reddit.com/r/tragedeigh/comments/17h7ka6/gwenny_32_is_pregnant_of_a_twelfth_child_a/ (English)

And here are the visualised shuffles of the card question in Episode 113

Tom - https://tehtommeh.github.io/riffle-me-this/

Bernhard - https://www.bernhard-werner.de/assets/cindy/applets/card_weave.html

Shaun - https://svermaak.github.io/VisualiseCardShuffle/

See Matt on tour!

http://standupmaths.com/shows

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

A Problem Squared - Emergency Episode! Sep 15, 2025

Unfortunately, Matt has been ill and lost his voice so we were unable to record the episode that should be coming out this week.

To make up for it, we are releasing an episode of the usually-Patreon-only I Am A Wizard for you to listen to. It's the one from April this year and features a magical offer from our listener who is, apparently, a wizard - USBinPRL. But we begin with a message from Bec, who can still speak.

If you want more wizarding silliness then join our Patreon at patreon.com/aproblemsquared - you'll get access to all the past episodes of I Am A Wizard, a new wizard episode every month, and early access to all episodes of A Problem Squared!

Normal Service will be resumed in Two Weeks!

117 = Visualising Hacks and Unusual Icy Snacks Sep 01, 2025

👁️ How do you remember things if you can’t visualisethem in your mind’s eye?

🍭 What’s the best shape for a freeze pop?

🪣 And there’s some Any Other Beachness

Head to our socials to see freeze pop pics, Matt(not that one)’s tooth and the AOB gifts!

Here’s a link to the University of Exeter’s The Eye’s Mind project: https://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/eyesmind/

And here’s a selection of freeze pops and anti-prisms…

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/del-monte-quality-pineapple-freeze-pop-8-x-62ml

https://www.vimto.co.uk/vimto-range/product/vimto-pyramids/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_antiprism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disphenoid

See Matt on tour! http://standupmaths.com/shows/

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

116 = Guess The Right Price and Why Teeth Might Splice Aug 18, 2025

￡ What’s the optimum strategy to win The Price Is Right?

🦷 Why have Tim’s baby teeth fallen apart?

🛠️ And there’s some Any Other Billy Bookcase Business

Head to our socials to play along with The Price Is Right and to see a video of Ikea Wars!

Here are the GIANT LETTERS sent in by Phillip:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yZaofcfNPaF5HyX17

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillside_letters

If you’re in Edinburgh for the Fringe, get tickets to see Bec here:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And get tickets see to Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt:

https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

115 = Jolly Good Euphemising and Hollywood Sign Sizing Aug 04, 2025

🍆 What’s the “female equivalent” of phallic?

What’s the font size of the Hollywood sign?

🦈 And we’re always open for AOBusiness

Thanks to our excellent experts appearing in voicenote form - Dr Ben Whittle, Chella Quint OBE, and Linus Boman.

Daan’s paper in the American Journal of Archaeology which cites this very podcast: doi.org/10.1086/735650

The world’s largest enlarged letter: https://www.pleasedonotbend.co.uk/categories/world-record

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Bec here: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And you can get tickets see to Matt here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky,Twitter,Instagram, and on Discord.

114 = Delectable Dips and Dealable Decks Jul 21, 2025

🃏 What’s the deal with cards?

🫕 What is the perfect ratio of chips to dips?

🍔 And there’s some Any Other B-B-Q-B-ness

Head to our socials to see the card shuffle and patterns, Bec’s starstruck selfie, and our chips ‘n’ dips experiment!

For all your homemade snacking needs:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/tortillas

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/homemade-tortilla-chips-guacamole-charred-tomato-salsa

It’s 5 o’chop Somewhere! (Really excellent work from Eve)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKZSlCGIdCZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

And some info about Aphantasia as mentioned by Keith…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphantasia

And synaesthesia…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Bec here:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And you can get tickets see to Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

113 = Marg Ana Names and Mid Career Change Jul 07, 2025

🚂 If you want a career change, how do you decide what to retrain as?

👶 What would be a good set of names for twins or triplets?

🦷 And there’s some Any Other Busi

Here’s some baby naming code from Colin Beveridge: https://github.com/icecolbeveridge/zoe_names

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Bec here: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And you can get tickets see to Matt here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

If you are in Edinburgh and fancy seeing Matt and Bec battle it out in Ikea Wars on Sunday 10th August, tickets are here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ikea-wars

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

If you are on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky,Twitter,Instagram, and on Discord.

112 = Staring Safely At The Sun and Celebrations Off By One Jun 23, 2025

🌞 How far away from the Sun do we have to travel before we can look at it without damaging our eyes?

📆 Is there an off by one error with anniversaries?

🍝 And AOB has been slow cooked and packed up in tupperware for safe storage

The starting point for Matt’s theory:

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-maximum-light-intensity-that-a-human-eye-can-withstand-without-being-damaged

Astroid Mattparker:

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=mattparker

Distance to Voyager 1: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager/where-are-voyager-1-and-voyager-2-now/

Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Bec here:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And you can get tickets to see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

111 = Mnemonic Serenading and Mechanism Naming Jun 10, 2025

🎶 Why are songs easier to remember than sentences?

⚙️ Can we come up with new names (that meet strict criteria) for leader/follower motors?

🌟 And it’s a glitzy, toothy, clackety AOB

As discussed in the intro, here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

https://youtu.be/nGtVej1Qx5Y

And here's the link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/standupmaths/moon-pi-were-going-to-calculate-on-the-moon

And head to our socials to see the Corris Railway Traverser!

For tickets to Bec Hill’s Pick ‘n’ Mix at the Museum of Comedy, London on 19/06/2025, go here: https://museumofcomedy.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873654374

For some glittery further reading, here’s that NYT article https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/style/glitter-factory.html

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Bec here: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

And you can get tickets to see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

110 = Inventive Dice and Paperwork Advice May 26, 2025

🎲What’s the best design for non-traditional dice?

📄 What should you call paperwork that doesn’t involve paper?

🙋And it’s more a comment than a question in AOB

Head to our socials to see Matt’s excellent Angry Man In Local Newspaper photos.

If you’d like to peruse and purchase more dice variations, head here:

https://mathsgear.co.uk/collections/dice

If you have any paperlesspaperwork suggestions, join in here!

https://www.reddit.com/r/AProblemSquared/

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

And you can get tickets see Bec here:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

109 = Fourth Dimensions and Love Conventions May 12, 2025

4️⃣ What would it look like to be trapped in a 4D world?

🥰 What is the meaning of marriage?

✨Izzy Wizzy Let’s Get AOBusy

Head to our socials to see some fantastic representations of 2D meets 3D meets 4D in fiction, some magical magic, and an alphabetically perfect travel route (for 40 days in 1990).

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can get tickets to see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

And you can get tickets see Bec here:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5884/

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

108 = Proofed Mates and Proved Dates Apr 28, 2025

🍻What’s the best way to politely tell a friend that they’ve had too much to drink?

🗞️ Is there a way to prove that something existed before a certain date?

❌And AOB brings us some friendly corrections…

A useful menu of alcoholic choices…

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

A hash of a DING!

1f2b352be3c09872b3e38083ec6f0d2b22615a99c5a446a03abf24430187c484

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

And Bec’s show will be onsale soon!

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared - including the pictures mentioned herein! - you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

107 = Megabytes and Satellites Apr 14, 2025

🧱How many megabytes are actually in a gigabyte?

🌕There have been some Moon Developments…

😎And AOB will bring a little sunshine into your life

Here is NASA’s Press Release about navigation on the moon:

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/space-communications-navigation-program/nasa-successfully-acquires-gps-signals-on-moon/

And some further reading from Matt:

https://www.gpsworld.com/lugre-receiver-captures-gnss-signals-in-lunar-orbit/

https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/icg/2024/WG-B_Lunar_PNT_Jun24/LunarPNT_Jun24_01_03.pdf

The Biggest Bike!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG4Gbrys3NL/?igsh=dTBqeG0wZGVpcXhs

Prawn News!

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/cyclone-alfred-live-updates-brisbane-south-east-queensland-braces-for-first-direct-impact-from-storm-in-50-years-northern-nsw-prepares-for-flooding-20250305-p5lh6c.html?post=p58aa2

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

And Bec’s show will be onsale soon!

Make sure you look after your teeth, kids...

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

106 = Travel ABC and Art of Karate Mar 31, 2025

🗺️ Is there an alphabetically perfect travel route?

🪵 What can be done with karate chopped wood?

🤙 And we ride the crest of the Any Other Business wave

You can find the data-basis for the alphabetically perfect travel route here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_territories_by_number_of_land_borders

Here are some of Bec’s aesthetically pleasing solutions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JubeLHRYl80

https://www.myveryeducatedmother.com/2015/12/turn-broken-karate-boards-into-coat-rack.html

https://www.ellemariehome.com/upcycle-karate-break-boards-into-wood-signs/#google_vignette

And you can find Brendan’s magical web app here:

https://bren.app/podcasteveryday/

If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, you can see Matt here:

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/getting-triggy-it-matt-parker-does-maths

And Bec’s show will be onsale soon!

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

105 = Next Prime Dates and Ancient Gag Rates Mar 17, 2025

📆 When is the next Prime Number Day?

🤣 What is the oldest joke?

🪨 And we get to the rock bottom of Any Other Business

You can find Matt’s Divisibility Rules video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pLz8wEQYkA

You can read more about the world’s oldest joke here:

https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2022/08/05/sumerian-joke-one

And you can get your Philogelols right here:

https://archive.org/details/philogelos-the-laugh-addict-the-worlds-oldest-joke-book/page/n21/mode/2up

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

104 = Paper Spread and Pencil Lead Mar 03, 2025

📃 Is a sheet of A-45 paper big enough to wrap the earth?

✏️ Why do we still call pencil graphite lead?

👔 There’s business to attend to.

You can find Matt and Hannah’s protractor up the shard video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckcdqlo3pYc&ab_channel=Stand-upMaths

Here’s Matt’s Truncatable Prime Pencil: https://mathsgear.co.uk/products/truncatable-prime-pencil?srsltid=AfmBOorhZ6qk_IAhKnCjtjoVM3wM-GXMTaFporL13aTjdOokjGG_hkxY

And the oldest known pencil in the world: https://www.penciltalk.org/2021/02/worlds-oldest-pencil

If you want to know more about that 1889 World Fair and that luxury yellow pencil you can do that here: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-little-known-reason-pencils-yellow

Here is the link to David’s MIT Maze turned Sudoku, Go check it out, it’s very cool: https://sudokupad.app/arbp91du01

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

103 = Heaps Splad and Paul’s Pad Feb 17, 2025

🤫 Which synonyms are Caesar ciphers of each other?

🎨 Bec and Matt attempt to help a listener decorate their home.

💼 The tax business briefcase is wide open.

⚔️ And battleships heats up.

It’s time to go see ‘Bec Hill: Guess Who's Bec, Bec Again?’ at The Adelaide Fringe! https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/bec-hill-guess-who-s-bec-bec-again-bec-hill-s-bec-tell-a-friend-af2025

You can see Matt Live! https://festivalofthespokennerd.com/tickets/

Here are just some of the sources that inspired Bec’s answer to Paul’s problem:

And The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things: http://www.worldslargestthings.com/mobilemuseum.htm

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

If you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

102 = Copyright Traps and Saturday Night Gaps Feb 03, 2025

✅ What’s the best way to leave your mark?

🗓️ Can Saturday Night Live be on Every Day?

📍 And there are some big locations in AOB

Top Marks: https://neatnik.net/steganographr/#results

SNL Spreadsheet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/i9leqlafx0orjfp6l8a6t/weekend_whatdate.xlsx?rlkey=vetpi2qg9etbb35jq0zculjt1&e=1&st=q5vl7052&dl=0

Big Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kf2XcYPXWnqGqn88

See Matt Live! https://festivalofthespokennerd.com/tickets/

See Bec Live! https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/bec-hill-guess-who-s-bec-bec-again-bec-hill-s-bec-tell-a-friend-af2025

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

101 = Squear Data and The Big Banana (in an Aussie accent) Jan 20, 2025

🔺 What are the most “interesting” years?

🍌 Bec goes big on Big Things

🎉 When Party Tricks Go Wrong

🔢 And there's some numerical AOB

Here’s Max-matics’ video that Matt mentioned - Turning a 2024 Ball Pyramid in to a 2025 Ball Square for NYE 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXUlKCIgV8U

Some further reading on the 2025 maths https://aperiodical.com/2025/01/numerical-coincidences-for-2025/

It’s a banger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJS3xnD7Mus

Some further reading on BIG THINGS -

https://www.spottobooks.com.au/shop/p/bigthings

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/14443058.2022.2144928

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

Welcome to A Problem....Suspended! Jan 06, 2025

Hello you wonderful listener,

Welcome to a new year. 2025 - has a nice ring to it doesn't it?

This is a short announcement to say that there will be a very short feed break - just an episode or two, don't worry - to allow us all rest for the first two weeks of January.

Matt will tell you everything you need to know in his very organised PSA. Have a listen.

Thank you for your continuted support and understanding. We love you very much.

Bec and Matt.

100 = Orchestral Seats and Calculator Beef Dec 23, 2024

To celebrate A Problem Squared’s 100th episode…

🎼 What is the least popular instrument in an orchestra?

🍎 Matt is appalled.

🔮 Another unplanned, unexpected mystery segment!

💼 And the business briefcase is (briefly) open.

A big thank you to Katie Steckles for her brilliant contributions to this episode. You can find more from her on her website: https://www.katiesteckles.co.uk/index.html, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stecks?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor, or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/katiesteckles.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

099 = Most Watched Films and Homonyms Dec 09, 2024

099 = Most Watched Films and Homonyms

✍️ What single word in the English Language has the most different meanings?

📺 Is the most consumed media of all time a holiday movie or song?

🗞 There’s some Any Other Business!

⚔️ Battleships continues.

If you want to find out more about the Royal Flying Doctor Service, do that here: https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/nswact/visit/broken-hill-visitor-centre/

You can see the full contents of Bec’s new outback first aid kit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPuwoOtTFV8

If you want to learn more about WordNet (as mentioned in Matt’s problem) follow this link here: https://wordnet.princeton.edu/

If you’d like to see the trailer for what is apparently the most watched film of all time, you can do that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXqjcDchr14

And if you’d like to hear the most streamed song of all time, you can do that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHI8X4OXluQ&ab_channel=TheWeekndVEVO

Finally, IF you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer for Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

Perhaps you want to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating? If you’d like to, please do that. It really helps.

AND if you want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn’t) you can connect with us and other fantastic listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Discord.

098 = Something Blue and Diamond Birthdays Too Nov 25, 2024

098 = Something Blue and Diamond Birthdays Too

💙What are the most extreme examples of something old, something blue, something borrowed, something new?

💎What’s up with diamond birthdays?

🔥A new special one-time bonus section from Matt.

💼And a look into the business briefcase.

For the Diana Spencer Tiara, look no further: https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital-catalogues/power-image-royal-aristocratic-tiaras/the-spencer-tiara-r-s-garrard-1930s

Here’s an image of Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s story The Snowy Day:

https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/galleries/childhood/item/11304. Selected from the millions of books that have been checked out of the library since 1895, Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s story The Snowy Day, described as a “charming, beautifully illustrated tale of a child enjoying the simple magic that snow brings to his city,” tops the list.

And, perhaps the best suggestion from Bec, the Blue ‘Pantheon’ aka Meteor 3200: https://www.space.com/42236-weird-blue-asteroid-phaethon.html#:~:text=Asteroid%203200%20Phaethon%20is%20a,typical%20for%20comets%20than%20asteroids.

Finally, this is the Diamond Birthday Tik Tok trend mentioned in Matt’s dinglett: https://www.tiktok.com/@misshaleymichelle/video/7196331969838566702?lang=en

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

If you want to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

097 = Number of Maps & Numbered Pads Nov 11, 2024

097 = Number of Maps & Numbered Pads

🗺 Are there enough OS maps to cover Great Britain?

0️⃣ Why does zero come after nine on a mobile phone?

📰 And, of course, some AOB!

If you want to see Bec’s friend Amy’s summary of accessibility in Thorpe Park and theme parks more generally, head on over to her instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/longcovidrockstar/

Here is a picture of The Big Tractor: https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/08/giant-red-tractor-carnamah-wa-australias-big-things

You can watch a brilliant Phone Phreaking Documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FufYSx2_6Bg&ab_channel=RCW39RJ

Here’s that Numberphile vid about Phone Buttons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCSzjExvbTQ&ab_channel=Numberphile

And the 17 Designs That Bell Almost Used for the Layout of Telephone Buttons: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/08/the-17-designs-that-bell-almost-used-for-the-layout-of-telephone-buttons/279237/

Please send your problems and solutions into the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.
Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

096 = Movie Pairs and Moving Flares Oct 29, 2024

🎞 Why would competing studios release movies in the same year that have the same concept or plot?

🔭 Why are we seeing the Aurora Borealis in the UK?

📈 Business of an any other nature.

If you want to have a listen to Bec on Tom Scott’s podcast ‘Lateral’ you can do that here, at some point soon: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TthQOE4Fx6gBPW8l48cfN

Their book can also be brought here! It’s really good: https://lateralcast.com/book/

To see a history of solar flare data going back to 1700, follow this link here: https://www.sidc.be/SILSO/ssngraphics

Please send your problems and solutions into the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you want (we’re not forcing anyone) to leave us a review, show the podcast to a friend or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.

095 = Friday Fears and Disco Spheres Oct 15, 2024

🍀 Does the 13th really fall more frequently on Friday?

💿 How do you make a giant disco ball wearable?

🍩 And we have some any other doughness.

If you want to find out more about the cardboard related event (called Number City!) Matt attended on Orkney Island, have a look at this link: https://oisf.org/fest-event/number-city/.

Do send your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

If you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us onTwitter,Instagram, and on Discord.

094 = The First Podcasts and Votes Precast Sep 30, 2024

💿 What did the first ever podcast sound like?

🗳 How do you REALLY lose an election in the US?

📰 Business will be closed, and opened.

Thank you to Emily for the Maths mittens! To see pictures of those, head over to APS socials.

You can see the incredible Agree to Disagree podcast pages from 1999 here:

There is also a file, but we don’t think it contains any data. Can someone help find an original review?

https://web.archive.org/web/19991103231714/http://thealph.com/agree/episodes/6x02.shtml

Do send your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

If you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord

093 = Game Solutions and Neil Distributions Sep 16, 2024

⭕ Circle Can Tic-Tac-Toe ever be fun?

🤏What is the smallest Neil called?

🗞There’s some Any Other Business!

⚔️Battleships continues.

If you want to read the works referenced by Matt in his tic-tac-toe / naughts and crosses problem, take a look below:

Solo Noughts and Crosses, James Grime: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10724117.2023.2168434

Tic-tac-tome, Willy Yoners: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tic-Tac-Autonomous-Playing-Book/dp/1594746877

A Knowledge-based Approach of Connect-Four The Game is Solved: White Wins, Victor Alis: https://disi.unitn.it/~montreso/asd/docs/connect4.pdf

Is ultimate tic-tac-toe solved? https://www.joachim-breitner.de/blog/604-Ultimate_Tic_Tac_Toe_is_always_won_by_X

Please send your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

If you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord

092 = Broken Hands and Alexander's Bands Sep 02, 2024

🌈 How many colours are really in a rainbow?

🕰 How often is a broken clock is right?

💼 The Any Other Business briefcase is open. Briefly.

🏴‍ And we have a NEW POST CREDITS easter egg.

To hear more about the brilliant and terrible Emily In Paris premier, listen to this episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/point-break-pt-1-season-04-episode-01/id1720149980?i=1000666164553

If you want to see where the Mattparker asteroid / minor planet is in the universe, you can locate it on this NASA database: https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=314159&view=VOP

A full circle rainbow was captured by aerial photographer Colin Leonhardt while flying through a rain shower just above Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia: https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/cn_round_rainbow_australia_jc_141010_16x9_992.jpg?w=1600

And if you want to be even more wowed, you can see a reflective rainbow (or six!) in Norway: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0709/sixrainbows_nordvik_big.jpg

Finally, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

If you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us onTwitter,Instagram, and on Discord

091 = Optimal Darts and Smelling Sharks Aug 12, 2024

🎯 What is the optimal layout for a dart board?

🦈 How soon after a cut does a shark smell your blood?

📜 And there’s some AYE-YOOO-BEEEE.

To see the Percy Arrangement mentioned by Matt follow this link: https://www.globaldarts.de/globalDartsEN/sport/Percysboard.html

And for the “Optimal Dartboard Design” reveal, see here! https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/api/file/viewByFileId/1980058
If you want to learn more about shark senses, check out Sensory Biologist Dr. Lauren Eve Simonitis‘s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanexplauren/?hl=en

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord

090 = Washing Machine Lies and Lincoln Penny Highs Jul 29, 2024

🧺 Why is the cycle time on my washing machines always wrong?

🪙 How long will it take to sell 400 Lincoln memorial pennies for $20,000?

🔔 We have DINGS!

🧳 And the business briefcase is open!

Disclaimer: You may hear a slight change in tone on Matt's audio at points throughout, that's back up audio which sounds different.

If you want to find out more about the IMO, or International Mathematics Olympics, you can do that here: https://www.imo-official.org/

And if you’re in London and you want to experience the janky eclipse, why not visit Novelty Automation! You can find details about this gem of a place here: https://www.novelty-automation.com/10_current-machines.htm"

Finally, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you’re on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on the ‘Sup ‘Zards’ pinned post!

And if you like, leave us a review, pass the podcast onto a friend or give us a rating! Every little helps.

Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord

089 = Venomous Snakes and Doggy Legs Jul 15, 2024

On this episode...

🐍If you pooled up all the snake venom in the world would it be enough to kill all the non-immune mammals?

👢Do dogs have 2 arms? Or do we have 4 legs?

📜And we open the business briefcase.

If you want to know more about lizard sampling, do that here: ‘Hierarchical distance sampling to estimate population sizes of common lizards across a desert ecoregion’:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.4780

There’s a great video by Technology Connections to turn signals and specifically syncing them up, you can find that here: https://youtu.be/2z5A-COlDPk?si=SWSE_FX3fuyLH1X0

You can find the rude praying hands here: https://www.reddit.com/r/teams/comments/xvpefh/can_we_please_talk_about_the_praying_emoji_on/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/hand-gestures-in-microsoft-teams-free-ff2354cd-17fa-44fc-80c9-3d88c577a1ad

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

088 = Tired Tires and Curvy Cubes Jul 01, 2024

🚘 What happens when tires get tired?

🧊 What is the equation for the curve on a spinning Ruibik’s cube?

📜 And there’s some pin related AOB!

Find out more about the counting crows here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl0984

You can hear Bec on Ali Plumb’s podcast ‘Screen Time’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02r4zfx/episodes/downloads

If you want to learn more about the EMF Festival, follow this link: https://www.emfcamp.org/

To read ‘Where the tire meets the road: Emerging environmental impacts of tire wear particles and their chemical cocktails’, go here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171153

For more information on the cones, ruled surfaces, hyperbolic paraboloids and more, have a look at the links below!

You can see some nice hyperboloid structures here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperboloid#Hyperboloid_structures

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

087 = Climbing Cliffses and Cloning Eclipses Jun 17, 2024

🧗 Is it possible to climb every mountain?

🌞 Can you simulate an eclipse if you miss the real thing?

📜 And some loose ends (and change), in AOB!

If you’d like to enter the very same gravel race as Matt Parker, you can find out more details here: https://sevengravelrace.com/the-race/

You can listen to ‘Climb Any Mountain’ from the Sound of Music soundtrack here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKuqySkqhHw&ab_channel=COSMOTOPPER777

And to watch the 1991 The Shamen hit ‘Move Any Mountain’ referenced by Matt (which we later discovered was made by our very own Producer Lauren’s dad!) Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpjnzxtZ6Qg&ab_channel=Vesanorabonah

You can find details for Matt’s Peak data here: https://peakvisor.com/

https://peakvisor.com/en/news/how_many_mountains_on_earth.html

https://peakvisor.com/en/news/unnamed-mountains.html

In our Dinglett this week Matt referenced JHelioviewer, where you can access real time solar image data. Do that here: https://www.jhelioviewer.org/

And Bec’s very sensible suggestion for Problem Poser Aaron, to watch the Oculus’ broadcast of the 2024 total eclipse: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/event/1074832456934803/

SFX for Bec’s victory can be found at Fresound.org, ‘VICTORY CRY Reverb 1’ was made by chripei and ‘Music: Orchestral Victory Fanfare’ was made by Sheyvan.

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

086 = Emoji Editions and Birthday Billions Jun 03, 2024

🙏 Is this emoji praying hands or a high five?

🍚 What's the best present for celebrating a billion seconds?

💼 For the first time we have Any Other Business WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!

If you want a collectable (and mistake-ridden) copy of ‘Love Triangle’, with a special, limited edition book cover designed by print-artist Paul Catherall. You'll get one free while stocks last. Head over to MathsGear! https://mathsgear.co.uk/products/love-triangle-by-matt-parker-signed

Here’s some background on the ‘Folded Hands’ emoji mentioned in Bec’s problem: https://blog.emojipedia.org/emojiology-folded-hands/

This is the pixelated 2001 Softbank version of the Folded Hands emoji: https://emojipedia.org/softbank/2001/folded-hands

Here’s the KDDI emoji from 2003, where someone is literally praying: https://emojipedia.org/au-kddi/type-d-1/folded-hands

You can find the ‘glowing’ folded hands emoji put out by Apple in 2008 here: https://emojipedia.org/apple/iphone-os-2.2/folded-hands

You can find some more variations of the folded hand emoji (including with faces) here: https://b1681952.smushcdn.com/1681952/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Early-Versions-Folded-Hands-Emojipedia-1.jpg?lossy=0&strip=1&webp=1

There were some fascinating early issues with Unicode (which made emojis universal), where ‘yellow hearts’ sent by iOS users would show up as ‘hairy hearts’ on Android phones. You can read about that here: https://web.archive.org/web/20140502051433/http://www.tuaw.com/2014/04/30/you-may-be-accidentally-sending-friends-a-hairy-heart-emoji/

You can find the Unicode emoji design guidelines here: https://unicode.org/reports/tr51/#Design_Guidelines

And if you want to find out whether you’ve already passed your 1 Billionth Second, you can do that here: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=10%5E9+seconds+in+years+and+days

If you want to find out whether you’ve already passed your 1 Billionth Second, you can do that here: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=10%5E9+seconds+in+years+and+days

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com. And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

085 = Coin Collections and Pin Selections May 21, 2024

🪙 How many coins would you need to sort through to collect all commemorative €2 coins in circulation?

📍How do you display enamel pins?!

💼 The Any Other Business briefcase is…mostly open.

Here’s the Coupon Collector’s problem video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BstloCx8KDk

You can see more on the “Number of banknotes/coins returned from circulation in Euro Area, Euro area (changing composition), Monthly” here: https://data.ecb.europa.eu/data/datasets/BKN/BKN.M.U2.RE10.C.20P0.AS.F.E

And, Wiki Sources: “2 euro commemorative coins” on good old Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_euro_commemorative_coins

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

084 = Indicators and In Da Cake-ers May 06, 2024

In this episode...

🎂 Where did birthday cake come from?

🚗 How come my indicator is never in sync with other cars waiting to turn?

💼 And, as always, some business from the business briefcase.

Nina, here’s that recipe for Greek Honey Cake: https://www.food.com/recipe/greek-honey-cake-428671

And for more cake from around the world, look no further than this infographic: https://i.imgur.com/lhhotIE.png

Here’s the Ben Eater video referenced by Matt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlSFm519Bo

And the fascinating paper about time perception and its illusions: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866156/

Please do send us your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

083 = Sunbeams and Dog Dreams Apr 22, 2024

🌒 What’s the best place to see the next solar eclipse?

💤 Do animals dream?

💼 The Any Other Business briefcase is…half open.

Send your problems and solutions to our website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

For a detailed look at the path of the 2026 eclipse, here’s the website referenced by Matt: https://eclipsophile.com/future-eclipses-2024-2028/

If you want to hear the full interview with David Pena Guzman about animal consciousness referenced by Bec, you can do that here: https://news.uchicago.edu/do-animals-dream-david-m-pena-guzman.

Videos of Sky potentially dreaming will be on social media. Tell us what you think? Do dogs dream?

And, if you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

An Emergency Broadcast to Solve an Emergency Problem. Apr 08, 2024

🔔🚨This is an emergency broadcast🚨🔔

Unfortunately a bout of sudden food poisoning has got in the way of our latest recording session. Everyone's safe (now) but as you may have noticed, we're missing an episode.

We've now got a new date in the diary but the podcast won't be back for two weeks - sorry about that everyone!

SO in this episode, A Problem Squared presents...

🧙‍♀️ The first EVER episode of bonus podcast I'm A Wizard.

🪄A latter and very silly episode of I'm A Wizard.

We HOPE this is a good solution to our emergency problem, but only you, the listener, can give us that ding.

And if you'd like to hear more from the Wizards, you can join up on Patreon and give as little or as much as you like.

Thanks everyone!

082 = What Is Lint and Zero Hints Mar 25, 2024

In this episode...

🧺 What is lint?

👌 When does zero count?

💼 And, as always, some business from the business briefcase.

Please do send us your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

Bec’s got loads of gigs coming up! If you wanna go see her check out dates on her website: https://www.bechillcomedian.com/tour-gigs.

Matt’s also got an Evening of Unnecessary Detail every two weeks at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone, London.

There’s going to be a mathssive (get it) Evening of Unnecessary Detail Extravaganza show at the Bristol Beacon on the 12th March.Find details for those here: https://festivalofthespokennerd.com/tickets/.

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

081 = Pi Prize and Square Stairs Mar 11, 2024

In this episode…

🥧 Can Pi ever repeat itself?

🪜 Is it impossible for cube-based stairs to be identical?

📈 And some Business of an Any Other Nature.

If you want to see the biggest hand calculation in HISTORY, you can! Just head over to Matt’s YouTube channel on the 14th of March: https://www.youtube.com/@standupmaths

An Evening of Unnecessary Detail is BACK IN NEW YORK! On the 14th of April, at The Bell House in Brooklyn from 7:30pm!

You can get tickets for that here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/matt-parker-an-evening-of-unnecessary-detail-tickets-847453715877?aff=oddtdtcreator

Ever wanted to know the answer to whether ALL Japanese snacks scale with the packaging imagery? Well now you can, on Bec’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-roi6FdISY&ab_channel=BecHill

GO SEE BEC! She’s playing in Reading and Louth in April. You can find the dates for that, here: https://www.bechillcomedian.com/tour-gigs

YOU CAN PRE-ORDER MATT’S NEW BOOK ‘Love Triangle’ NOW!

For a signed, but full priced copy with a special dust jacket follow this link: https://mathsgear.co.uk/products/love-triangle-by-matt-parker-signed

Or for 21% off your pre-order, follow this link to Waterstones: https://tinyurl.com/2fdjnwwz

As always, please send your problems and solutions to the Problem Solving Page, here: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

080 = Naming Clichés and Squaring Birthdays Feb 26, 2024

In this episode…

🍼 What’s the best method for naming a human child?

🎊 How do you turn 45^2=2025 into a birthday celebration?

📜 AYE-YOOO-BEEEE.

Please do send us your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

Bec’s got loads of gigs coming up! If you wanna go see her check out dates on her website: https://www.bechillcomedian.com/tour-gigs

Matt’s also got an Evening of Unnecessary Detail every two weeks at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone, London.

There’s going to be a mathssive (get it) Evening of Unnecessary Detail Extravaganza show at the Bristol Beacon on the 12th March.

Find details for those here: https://festivalofthespokennerd.com/tickets/

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and on Patreon.

079 = Driving Clockwise and Evolving Dragonflies Feb 12, 2024

In this episode…

⤵ Is it faster to drive around Australia in an anticlockwise direction on the inside lane?

🐉 What were dragonflies called before there were dragons?

💼 Business of an ‘Any Other’ nature.

New segment: Things Matt Needs Help With. If you can help with ANY of Matt’s ideas, get in touch!

If you’d like to see Matt’s diagrams and GP MOTO plot, head on over to Twitter or Patreon!

The podcast has officially HIT 2 MILLION! Tell us how you think we should celebrate.

As always you can send your problems and your solutions into the Problem Posing Page: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and of course, on Patreon.

078 = Spinal Taps and Star Maps Jan 29, 2024

In this episode…

🇺🇸 A LAT of LA chat.

⭐️ If you visited each star on the Hollywood Walk of fame in alphabetical order, how far would you have to travel?

📜 And some sort of Any Other Businesses.

Send us your problems and your solutions to the Problem Posing Page: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and of course, on Patreon.

077 = Earth That Quakes and Quick Fire Takes Jan 15, 2024

In this episode…

🌏 How often do earthquakes take place in the same location, on the same date, in different years?

🔔 Dingletts, dingletts and more dingletts!

💨 A fundamental buoyancy error.

If you want to look into the data Matt used for his earthquake problem, you can find that here: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-data.

If you want to see the plots Matt mentions, please head on over to ⁠Twitter⁠ or ⁠Patreon⁠.

Here are Bec's podcast recommendations:

- Science Vs: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs

- A Podcast of Unnecessary Detail: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-podcast-of-unnecessary-detail/id1441973787

- Swindled: https://swindledpodcast.com/

- Decoder Ring: https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring

- And of course, her own brand new podcast 'Enemy In Paris': https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/enemy-in-paris/id1720149980

As always, send us your general problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com.

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can also find us on Instagram and Discord.

076 = Human Pasta and Strada Romana Jan 01, 2024

In this first episode of 2024…

🍝 How long would human spaghetti be?

🏛 Do all roads actually lead to Rome?

📜 We have new old business for a new new year.

P.S episode not intentionally Italy themed.

If you want to go see Matt and Bec in LA get to the Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank on Sunday January 7th at 5pm!

Bec and Matt will put on An Evening of Unnecessary Detail along with a few of their friends as guest acts.

Come and say hi! Matt will sign your calculator. Bec will also sign your calculator - right across the top of Matt's signature.

If you want to go to that, you can get your tickets here now: https://www.flapperscomedy.com/shows/an-evening-of-unnecessary-detail/72865/

As always, send us your general problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and of course, on Patreon.

075 = Roman Recursion and Role-Play Immersion Dec 18, 2023

In this episode…

🏺 What is the biggest roman numeral word?

🎲 How do I get my friends to play D&D?

🪵 A Christmas Stumpdate!

💼 And the business briefcase is OPEN.

If you'd like some extra listening over the next few weeks, have a listen to Bec on Dan Schreiber’s podcast ‘We Can Be Weirdos’ you can find the link here: https://tinyurl.com/mrymvb29

And if you'd like to see the Aunty Donna sketch showing how not to explain a table top game to a new player, look no further: http://tinyurl.com/574m6m98

To watch campaigns played by Questing Time follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/questingtime

For the Dragon Friends Podcast: https://thedragonfriends.com

And for the Harmontown Podcast: https://www.harmontown.com/category/podcasts/

IF you’ve got any LA based problems, please do send them in to the Problem Solving Page: https://tinyurl.com/2s2x7az4

We'll be announcing the venue for a Podcast of Unnecessary Detailonce a venue has been found.

And if you’d like to receive a belated, but signed Christmas card you can still sign up to Wizard Support on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared/membership

(You’ll get a digital version too!)

As always, send us your general problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course, on Patreon.

074 = Chocolate Powder Fails and Consonant/Vowel Details Dec 04, 2023

On this episode…

🍫 Can you prevent hot chocolate from clumping?

🖊 When is a vowel a vowel?

👾 We have some Discord news!

💼 And a small amount of Business, of Any Other nature.

The holidays have arrived early because, and APS DISCORD IS FINALLY HERE! Head on over using this link: https://discord.gg/pt4WsfhMCY

You too can make your computer talk! Here's a link to the Praat vowel software Matt was using at the start of today’s Dinglet: https://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/praat/

If you’d like to see the Vowel Space video referenced by Matt follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdldD0-kEcc

And for more from linguist and phonetics expert Dr Geoff Lindsay (and with that voice, who wouldn't!) you can do that here: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGeoffLindsey

If you know anything about the Apollo 11 flight diagram depicted here: https://tinyurl.com/4wjwcu6c let us know!

As always, send us your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course, on Patreon.

073 = Farting Thrust and Pocket Mistrust Nov 20, 2023

In THIS episode…

💨 How low would gravity need to be for farts to lift you off the ground?

👖 Is there a solution to suboptimal trouser pockets?🔔 Ding ding ding!

📜 Business, fresh from the Any Other briefcase.

If you want to participate in a MathsJam near you, you can find your local event right here: https://www.mathsjam.com/

And if you are a child, or an adult who has children who are fans of the show, tell THEM to send in their problems for our kids only episode - coming soon!

Don’t forget to tag the problem with the word ‘Kidition’, it’ll help us find it!

If you want to commission a cool bum-bag to support a good cause, Bec mentions Second Stitch Melbourne in her dinglett.

You can find a link for them here: https://www.secondstitch.org.au/

Please do send us your problems and solutions to the website: www.aproblemsquared.com

If you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course, Patreon.

072 = The Perfect Paint Set and Rubik's Reset Nov 06, 2023

In this episode...

🎨 What's the best hypothetical paint set?

🧊 Can a single turning pattern return a Rubik's cube to where it started?

🛰 And some Any Orbital Business!

If you want to weigh in on the Reasonable / Unreasonable debate, and watch Bec in her element painting a wardrobe, follow this link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyJwjphMesl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

And if you want to see more from the colour theorist, Peter Donahue, who consulted on Bec's problem, find him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.pete.repeat/?hl=en

For Martin Bellander's incredible colour graph, follow this link: https://blog.martinbellander.com/post/115411125748/the-colors-of-paintings-blue-is-the-new-orange

Please do send us your problems and solutions to the website: aproblemsquared.com.

If you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and of course Patreon.

071 = Snap Probability and Zombie Mobility Oct 24, 2023

In this episode...

🃏 Is the probability in a game of snap changed if two packs of cards are used?

🧟 Can zombies ride bikes?

🥣 A commemorative plate-bowl update.

👻 And some Any Other BOoOoOosiness!

If YOU want this year's APS Christmas card be sure to sign up to the Wizard Level on Patreon by the END OF NOVEMBER.

You can do that here: https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared/membership

We'll be sharing a link to our new Discord soon. In the meantime, go talk on the APS Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/AProblemSquared/

As always, pease send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

070 = Speaking Profanities and Lettered Localities Oct 16, 2023

In this episode...

📣 Which words sound rude in other languages?

✏️ Which letters go where most often?

🛩 And some any aeroplane-autobahn business!

Tony has give us some fantastic Maths Decor. Platonic Solid doorknobs and how to make them: https://ko-fi.com/s/642d70ef7f

A couple of brilliant listeners gave us some great more information on emergency landings on the Autobahn. You can find links to that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_strip and here: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notlandeplatz_auf_Stra%C3%9Fe#Autobahn-Behelfslandepl%C3%A4tze.

You can find a selection of highway and Autobahn landings captured on camera here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj1diDwW8WWUj8vYdlo3kIBUPzxfedn_n

You can now subscript to I'm A Wizard on Spotify! If you want to do that, here are instructions on how to integrate Patreon on Spotify on the app: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/17201706786573-Listen-to-Patreon-exclusive-audios-on-Spotify

More news about the Discord is COMING SOON!

069 = Tiling Planes and Driving Planes Sep 25, 2023

In this episode... - What is the optimal maths based pattern to decorate a rented home? - Is it possible to fly a plane on the autobahn? - And some bloody brilliant Any Other Business You can find more information about the Art Installation, or Zeitpyramide, Matt references in the catch up here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitpyramide For more amazing tile patterns, check out Ayliean's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ayliean/video/7276938427071876385 And if you'd like to read the Hat Tile original paper, you can do that here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10798 Here's the APS Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/AProblemSquared/ We'll share our new Discord, which we don't really know how to use yet, once we've got some mods in place so watch this space... As always, pease send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com. And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

068 = Big Feastival and Bike Intervals Sep 12, 2023

Coming to you AS-LIVE from a tent at The Big Feastival!

In this wet and festivally episode...

- How green is cycling really?

- An update on Stawberry-gate.

Again, if anyone has any information about the Time Fun jumper, please do send it to the Problem Posing Page! Check out our social media to see it if you haven't already.

And finally, please send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

IF you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

067 = Line Times and Wide Words Aug 28, 2023

In this episode…

🙏 How often do the hands of time align?

📜What is the longest one syllable word?

💼And a very large serving of AAAOOOBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

After such glowing recommendations, you’ve got to go listen to Confidence Man: https://www.confidenceman.com.au/

Here’s Bec’s contribution to the Samaritvans exhibit: https://shop.sarahgraham.info/products/samarivan-bec-hill.

If you find yourself in Hitchen between the 22nd - 29th September 2023, go see the exhibit for real, at Arkley Fine Art on Hermitage Rd.

More about Arkley here: https://arkleyfineart.co.uk/. If you want to check out more of Sarah Graham’s work you can do that here: https://sarahgraham.info/.

If anyone has any information about the Time Fun jumper, please do send it to the Problem Posing Page!

And finally, please send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

IF you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

066 = Strawberry Yields and Football Fields Aug 14, 2023

In this slightly sports adjacent episode...

🍓 Are there more strawberries or old men on earth?

⚽️ Is Melbourne Rectangular Stadium more or less rectangular than the average football stadium?

🏆 Did Austrailia beat Denmark at the Women's World Cup? Find out here!

🖇 And a healthy dose of Any Other Business.

You can watch Bec's striker skills in action on CBBC's Saturday Mash Up, here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001pnkl/saturday-mashup-live-series-6-episode-6

Here is a link to WayBackMachine used by Bec to research her problem: https://archive.org/

If you'd like some fresh insights into the Global Fresh Strawberry Industry, you can find that here (2022 - 2023): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/fresh-strawberry-market

If you too want exclusive access to the latest Magic Square breakthroughs follow this link: https://numbers-magic.com/?p=9988

Here are Ian's joke specifications for fire hoses, adapted from an old set of joke pipe specs dating back to at least the 80s: https://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/87/14917.23.html

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

065 = Central Parks and Baseball Larks Jul 31, 2023

This is a single problem, AOB-less and DIY episode...what could be more New York?

🏟 Baseball fun in New York City!

📍 How central is Central Park really?

📜 Vibe for this episode: "It's real man"

A NOTE TO ALL LISTENERS: Please be aware that audio quality may not be what you're used to. This episode deviates from the usual format. The structure heard here is what we like to call: Freeform.

We've put a map of Manhattan on Twitter if you want to have a look at that as you listen!

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

064 = A Tetris Education and Candy Bar Formation Jul 17, 2023

In this episode...

👾 What is the best way to win at Tetris?

🍫 Revisited: Have all the candy bars been invented?

📜 And some AOOOOOOOOOB.

You can find the Bonham's Nintendo Gameboy Sale: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/19144/lot/250/nintendo-game-boy-flown-in-space/

Check out the rest of the sale too...it's pretty cool: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/19144/the-space-history-sale/

Evidence of the Beng-Beng Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Crispy Wafer bar: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203119821326

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

063 = Meta Magic Squares and Fire Hose Care Jul 03, 2023

In THIS episode...

🔲 Is it possible to make a magic square of magic squares where each cell is the magic constant of another magic square?

📜 Bec becomes a document detective!

🚨 It's a New York Alert

💼 What's in the briefcase today?

❓AND a big muppet reveal.

You can find the Magic Square of Magic Squares here (It's the second one on the page): https://inderjtaneja.com/2022/02/10/100-magic-squares-of-order-42-with-numbers-00-99/

Here's the original Numperphile video 'Magic Squares of Squares (are PROBABLY impossible)': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdsj84UdeYg&ab_channel=Numberphile

The Firehose Specifications Document can be viewed here (It can't be real, right?): https://ifunny.co/picture/australian-government-fire-hose-spfcifications-all-hose-is-to-be-PDLNwbBZA?s=cl

Now you know, which muppets Bec and Matt are - tell us, which Muppet are YOU?

And send in your CONEY ISLAND related problems to the Problem Posing Page: www.aproblemsquared.com, or on social media @aproblemsquared.

If you want to sponsor the podcast, head on over to our Patreon page. You can can find that here: https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

062 = The Ice Cream Hack and Burger Rings Packs Jun 19, 2023

In THIS episode:

🍦 Can you lose weight with a diet of ice cream and beer?

🍔 What's up with Burger Rings?

🛎 DING! DING! DING! DING!

💼 And some A-OHHHHH-B.

Here's the Burger Rings 1992 ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo5sKqwUQBs

Here's the ACTUAL packet, as remembered by Matt and Bec: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fordsbasement/7183508658#

As always, send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

If you'd like to find out which Muppet you are (who doesn't, right?) you can skip ahead of Matt and Bec to do the quiz here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

061 = Shifting Dates and Lifting Waits Jun 05, 2023

On THIS episode...

🌍 Where should Earth be?

🛗 What's the best way to spend one minute in a lift?

♾ Why are there different sizes of infinity?

💼 And, business. Any other.

Send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

If you'd like to find out which Muppet you are (who doesn't, right?) you can skip ahead of Matt and Bec to do the quiz here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you.

And if you want more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram. and Patreon.

060 = Cables Coiled and Water World May 22, 2023

In this episode... 🎧 How do you stop the wires on headphones from twisting? 🏊🏽‍♀️ If the Earth was a smooth sphere, how much water would sit on it's surface? 🛎 Get ready for some dings! 💼 And the business briefcase is open. If you'd like to find out exactly why our pockets twist up our wires, follow this link: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-do-your-earphones-get-tangled-in-your-pocket-science-has-the-answer-9548540.html For more on the spontaneous knotting of an agitated string, look no further: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.0611320104#sec-2 To really comprehend the over under technique you have to see it, and even then it's tricky. You can attempt to find out how to do that, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwMJHMSmjVY The Merch Competition is ongoing, so send in your sizes for those T-Shirts! And phone it in if you want THE HAT! Put your down preferences HERE: bit.ly/APSgiveaway If you'd like to find out which Muppet you are, you can speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you. As always send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com. And, finally, if you want EVEN MORE from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram or Patreon.

059 = Concealing Stars and Conceiving Bars May 08, 2023

In THIS episode... 🌝 Is the diameter of the sun and the moon the spookiest of coincidences? 🍫 Where on earth are the new candy bars?! 📈 What's in the Business Briefcase today? Here's the incredible bath related research conducted and compiled by David, go take a look it's fantastic: https://www.dropbox.com/s/89sp8ekvx2d13m7/Bath_Gustavsson.pdf?dl=0

And Tin's code with Matt's favourite plot, you can find that here: https://htmlpreview.github.io/?https://github.com/tinnuadan/PipingHotBath/blob/main/becbath.html

If you'd like to see Matt and Bec in New York for an Evening of Unnecessary Detail you can still buy STANDING tickets here for $20: https://www.caveat.nyc/events/aeoud-7-13-2023 Merch Competition: Send in your sizes for those T-Shirts! And phone it in if you want THE HAT! Put your down preferences HERE: bit.ly/APSgiveaway If you'd like to find out which Muppet YOU are, just speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you. Send your problems, solutions and t-shirt specifications to our website: aproblemsquared.com. And, finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

058 = Bluey's Beats and Undies Cheats Apr 24, 2023

In THIS episode... 🎶 What's the time signature of the Bluey theme tune? 🔐 How can you get the security tag off an item of clothing at home? 🐹 The first answer to the first A Peanut Squared. 🗂 And some Any Other Business. If you'd like to visit or participate in the Polyplane exhibition at Rutgers University, find out more on their website here: http://polyplane.org. You can watch Adam Neely expand on Bec's answer for irregular time signatures here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KCpJx_2K_g. ***Merch Competition UPDATE: DO NOT SEND YOUR PREFERENCES TO THE PROBLEM POSING PAGE!*** Send in your sizes for those T-Shirts! And phone it in if you want THE HAT! Put your down preferences HERE: bit.ly/APSgiveaway And finally if you'd like to find out which Muppet YOU are, just speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you. Send your problems, solutions and t-shirt specifications to our website: aproblemsquared.com. And, finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

057 = Factorial Calculations and Optimal Celebrations Apr 10, 2023

In THIS episode...

* Matt has found the last number.

* How do you determine which day of the week a given date falls on if you know the day of another date?

* And some other international business.

If you'd like to see Bec and Matt at An Evening of Unnecessary Detail IN NEW YORK, get tickets here: https://festivalofthespokennerd.com/show/an-evening-of-unnecessary-detail/

This is your 10 day call, this link closes on the 20th of April! -- Roll up! roll up! The limited edition Millionth Download Commemorative Plates and / or Bowls are here. You can ORDER them here:

If you want to find out more about the Solar Eclipse Matt's going to see in Aus, do that here: https://www.australiascoralcoast.com/products/ningaloo-eclipse#:~:text=On%20April%2020%2C%202023%20visitors,a%20total%20solar%20eclipse%20occurs.

Matt explains this tweet to Bec in our first problem: https://twitter.com/standupmaths/status/1354919418300657669

And here is the offending, and very funny, website they reference - Visual Fractions: https://visualfractions.com/calculator/factorial/what-is-the-factorial-of-170/

If you'd like to find out which Muppet YOU are, just speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you.

Send your problems and solutions to our website: aproblemsquared.com.

And, finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

056 = LTRL Words and Half-Life Burns Mar 27, 2023

In THIS episode...

🐹 A Peanut Squared!

📇 How many words neatly shorten to letter-name versions?

🔥 Was Michael Jackson's hair catching fire in a Pepsi ad the exact mid-point of his life?

💼 And some Other Business.

Roll up! roll up! The limited edition Millionth Episode Commemorative Plates and / or Bowls have arrived. You can PRE-ORDER them here:

If you want to see the full Two Ronnies 'Swedish Made Simple' sketch, you can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc3M1nppd3c

So you're 18+ and want to see Micheal Jackson's hair on fire in diorama form. Good news! You can do that on Bobby Fingers Youtube, right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHi479xN_po

Matt's video 'Was Michael Jackson's hair catching fire in a Pepsi ad the exact mid-point of his life?' can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUuGy5agBfg

And we welcome PEANUT to the APS family. The very first A Peanut Squared problem is - If peanut needs to eat 5 g of pellets every day, and hamsters live for two years, how many grams of pellets is Bec going to need over Peanut’s lifetime?

You can also get your DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com .

If you'd like to find out which Muppet YOU are, just speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you.

If YOU'VE got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And, finally, if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

055 = Bristol Bus Buds and Generic Soap Suds Mar 14, 2023

In this episode...

🚍 What’s the probability that you get on a bus and see a colleague who's travelling to the same house as you?

🧽 Can I use a single cheap soap to clean absolutely everything?

✨ And, coincidences. Lots of them.

If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

You can get your DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com .

If you'd like to find out which Muppet YOU are, just speed ahead of Matt and Bec and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

053 = Elementary Monikers and Rotatory Chronikers Feb 13, 2023

In this episode... 🪨 Which human names are the least elemental? 🕰️ Why do clocks run clockwise? 🧳 Some news from the business briefcase! 🪵 And an even NEWER stumpdate. If you'd like to know how to bring plants and more specifically, your stumps, into the UK without an infestation of termites, have a look how, here: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-plants-and-wood-into-great-britain/from-outside-the-eu Here are the free IMBD data sets used by Matt in his problem: https://www.imdb.com/interfaces/ And if you'd like to find out which Muppet you definitely are you can speed ahead of Matt and Bec, and find that out here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/which-muppet-are-you If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. You can buy A Problem Squared 'DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com . And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

052 = Piping Hot Baths and Predicting With Graphs Feb 06, 2023

In this episode...

🛀 How do you keep a bath warmer for longer?

💼 Matt solves a problem about business.

🗞️ We have some AOB.

🪵 And a brand new stumpdate!

If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

You can buy A Problem Squared 'DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com .

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

051 = Have We Hit 1 Mil Yet and Should Yer Toothbrush Feel Wet? Jan 16, 2023

In THIS very meta episode...

* Did Matt forecast a million downloads correctly?

* When should your toothpaste be wet?

* And there's some Any Other Sizeness.

You can find 'Fibonacci New Year' from @ayliean on Tiktok right here: https://www.tiktok.com/@ayliean/video/7183451455569923355.

You can also find her on Twitter!

And if you want to listen to Bec officially beef with Joel & John of The Deam Factory, you can do that here: https://shows.acast.com/dreamfactory/episodes/who-brings-a-ball-to-war-ft-bec-hill

If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

You can buy A Problem Squared 'DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com . And of course, if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

050 = Nearly an Hour of Mirth About Places Called Perth Jan 02, 2023

In this BRAND NEW and Perth based episode... * Which Perth is the best Perth? * If you scale human DNA to match the DNA tower in Kings Park could you reach the ISS? * And, Bec and Matt present: Any Other Beersness! If you want to see more from this week's episode, check out Twitter for social links and images! As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. You can buy A Problem Squared 'DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com . And if you want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Instagram or Patreon!

049 = Grand Theft Auto Five and Girlfriend Digit Size Dec 19, 2022

In THIS episode:

* How do you get a billion dollars on GTA 5 as fast as possible?

* What are some sneaky but effective ways to measure a ring finger?

* And some ANY OTHER BUSINESSSS!

The three norths are aligned! Here's a map of the North by North North tour: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/newsroom/blog/magnetic-true-grid-north-align-over-great-britain

You can find 'band merch' by Matt for that here: https://standupmaths.teemill.com/collection/north-north-north/

If you want to see more from DarkViperAU you can do that here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV6mNrW8CrmWtcxWfQXy11g

And the actual live-stream can be found here here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvCHyy62ro&ab_channel=DarkViperAU

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

You can buy A Problem Squared 'DING' t-shirts here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com .

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

048 = Satellite Applications and Website Calculations Dec 05, 2022

In this episode...

How do we repurpose a satellite dish?
How does Matt do his calculations so quickly?
And some any other bugness!

IF you want an A Problem Squared Christmas card, do become a Patreon! If you're ALREADY a Patreon, make sure you've given us your postal address.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. AND if you've got a Perth related problem for our 050th episode send them in!

You can buy A Problem Squared merch here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com .

And, if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

047 = If Bees Flew Your Weight and Honey Use-By Date Nov 21, 2022

047 = If Bees Flew Your Weight and Honey Use-By Date

In this episode...

How many bees would it take to lift a person?
Does honey really have an infinite shelf life?
Anddd some any other beesness!

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. You can buy A Problem Squared merch here https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com . And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

046 = Novel Novel Hovels and A Lot o' Lotto Pottos Nov 07, 2022

In THIS episode... * What is the most interesting way to store books? * How many years would you need to play the lottery to reach a net positive? * A-to-the-O-to-the-B If you want to listen to Bec’s BBC podcast, 'Elon Musk vs Twitter' you can do that here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0d7q0h8 Check out the cool people Bec and Matt played pool with: ‘Average Pool Player’ Rollie Williams: https://www.youtube.com/user/RollieWilliams Jennifer Baretta. Here’s Rollie + Jennifer together! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C40fkp0ReDc&ab_channel=KAMUIBRAND Grant Sanderson, of Three Blue One Brown fame: https://www.3blue1brown.com/https://www.youtube.com/c/3blue1brown And if you want to watch Matt destroying one of his own books, you can do that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S26_O2B8h8k Don't forget, you can get your merch here: https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com. As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

045 = A minute of New Yorkin' and "Hey, I'm walkin'!" Oct 24, 2022

In THIS episode...

* Can we increase the chance of catching the subway by walking to the nearest stop in the direction of travel?

* How long is a New York Minute, really?

* And some serious jet lag.

Thank you to everyone who sent in New York related questions! If you want to read more about Todd W. Schneider, you can find them on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/todd_schneider

Here is the code and wait times graph referenced in Matt's problem: https://toddwschneider.com/posts/nyc-subway-data-analysis/

And the Github link is here if you'd like to rerun Todd’s code for yourself: https://github.com/toddwschneider/nyc-subway-data

For recreated images of New York Minute, head on over to the APS Twitter or Instagram.

And, as always, if you've got a problem or a solution hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

044 = Belts for Crime and Smells in Time Oct 10, 2022

In THIS episode...

* Which utility would be most useful on a utility belt?

* How fast is the speed of smell?

* Matt comes one step closer to finding his stairs.

* And, when does a plate become a bowl...decided?

IF you want to look as cool as Bec and Matt (and who doesn't) head on over to: https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com for merch.

The book Bec mentions in her problem is called 'End State: 9 Ways Society Is Broken & How We Fix It' by James Plunkett.

If you have a suggestion for what goes on the hope utility belt, or just have a better DJ name for Bec and Matt, head over to the APS Twitter page or comment on Patreon or Instagram. Find us on Twitter and Instagram.

And, as always, if you've got a problem or a solution hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

043 = Millennia Tripled and Why Are Males Nippled? Sep 26, 2022

In this episode...

* We run the numbers on the 2002 hit song 'Year 3000'

* Why do all humans have nipples?

* And, A Problem Squared goes to New York City!

If you happen to be in New York City at 4pm on Saturday the 8th of October, Matt will be performing with A Podcast of Unnecessary Detail. That's at Caveat Comedy Club in Manhattan!

You can find tickets for that, here: https://caveat.nyc/events/aeoud-10-8-2022

Please send your New York related problems to the Problem Solving Page, and tag it 'New York'.

Juat a reminder that you can now buy APS merch! Head on over to: https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

042 = Plate or Bowl Guesses and Faster Processes Sep 12, 2022

In this episode...

* When does a plate become a bowl?

* And, five five-letter words with twenty-five unique letters: Some mind-blowing solutions.

Juat a reminder that you can now buy APS merch! Head on over to: https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

041 = Table Surface Braced and Toothbrush Versus Paste Aug 29, 2022

In this episode...

* How do you stop a wobbly table from wobbling?

* Which is more effective for your dental hygiene: a toothbrush without toothpaste or toothpaste without a toothbrush?

* A-to-the-O-to-the-B.

* Plus! Some exciting merch news.

If you want to see more of Matt's wobbly tables on ridiculous maths surfaces, you can do that here: https://arxiv.org/abs/math/0511490.

For the best system for teeth brushing and more tips on dental hygiene have a listen to ‘APS 03 - Teeth Tips and Defining Decades’ https://aproblemsquared.libsyn.com/aps-003.

And, you can now buy APS merch! If you want a t-shirt of your own, head on over to: https://a-problem-squared.teemill.com.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

040 = Anniversary Crazes and Any Cursory Praises Aug 15, 2022

In THIS episode...

* What's the most appropriate gift for a couple’s -1 year anniversary?

* How do you write a podcast review without Apple podcasts?

* And Bec and Matt return to rather a lot of AOB.

We would like to thank shittyflute on YouTube for letting us use their rendition of the A-Team theme tune. You can find more tunes you love, badly played here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMmLi8z1HbyhTEvfBgXpyg

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

039 = Many Ways to Replace Lights and Trebuchets Shooting Space Flights (live at Bluedot Festival) Aug 01, 2022

In this very special episode, live from Blue Dot Festival... * How many astronauts does it take to change a light bulb? * What is the most environmentally friendly way to launch an object into space? * And APS are live for the first time at Blue Dot Festival! A huge thank you all the contributors that helped make this episode happen; To Professor Steven Lockley from Harvard. You can find more about his contributions to sleep in space here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576512001336 If you want to find out about Circadian Rhythms on Earth, have a listen to Episode 026: ‘Sliding on Snow and Skipping on Sleep’. To Trent Burton from Cosmic Shambles who helped us get in touch with Tim Peak. You can listen to their incredible selection of podcasts here: https://cosmicshambles.com/podcasts/ And of course, to Sarah Bennetto for booking us! You can find her on Twitter here, she's very funny: https://twitter.com/sarahbennetto?s=20&t=mf8AoKcmvUXVbHw2YQAoQA As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn't) find us on Twitter and Instagram.

038 = Fldxt in Wordle and Improv Tact Hurdle Jul 18, 2022

In this episode... * Can you guess 5 unique words with unique letters in Wordle? * How do you get out of your head and into the scene in improv? * And any other Cheesness. Here's the dictionary text file Matt started with for his problem. It contains 370,000 words: https://github.com/dwyl/english-words A huge thank you to everyone who helped with Bec's dinglett. Alex Holland at the Free Association - this is where Bec did her improv course, and you can find details about that here: https://thefreeassociation.co.uk. David Reed, his play Guy Fawkes will be showing at the York Theatre from October:https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/guy-fawkes/. Also to Rachel Pariss, you can find her on 'The Latenight Mash' with Nish Kumar or here on Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/33emshys And the brilliant Josie Lawrence. You can find more about her on twitter too: https://tinyurl.com/JosieLawrence As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn't) find us on Twitter and Instagram.

037 = Digital Displays and Digits All Splayed Jul 04, 2022

In this episode... * When does a high five become a low five? * What is the most efficient digital display? * And, some any other beesness Just 18 more sleeps until APS is LIVE at Bluedot - that's between 19:45 - 20:45 on Friday the 22nd July. Please send in your Bluedot specific questions to the Problem Solving Page including the phrase 'Bluedot'. You can do this on Twitter too, but it might get lost! A big shout out to Mr Thing, just because they are fantastic. You can find them on Twitter: @wearemrthing or on their website here: https://www.wearething.co.uk/. You can also see them at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Fest, and buy tickets for that here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mr-thing-show. As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

036 = Score Menu Sets and Door Etiquette Jun 20, 2022

In this episode:

Can you create an order from a numbered menu that is always comprehensible to the server?
When someone is behind you as you open a door, what is the polite distance to wait for them?
And, the cards are on the table.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. Please send in your Blue Dot problems, and we may just solve it live on stage. Just post your problem with the tag 'Blue Dot' to aproblemsquared.com - Do it now! If you want to come and see us at Blue Dot, you can catch us on Friday, and can buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/BlueDotTickets

You can find more about Emma Haruka Iwao's record breaking Pi calculation here: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/compute/calculating-100-trillion-digits-of-pi-on-google-cloud

And, of course, if you want want more from A Problem Squared, come find us on Twitter and Instagram.

035 = Lunar Cheese Pops and Physics Bullet Drops Jun 06, 2022

In THIS episode... * How long would it take us to eat the moon if it was made of cheese? * If you shot and dropped a bullet at exactly the same time, they would hit the ground simultaneously? * And Bec and Matt give thanks. As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

034 = Novel Seal of Approval and Family Seal of Removal May 23, 2022

In this episode... * How related are you to a Harbour seal? * Bec gives some novel advice. * Matt mends a mistake. * And there's all sorts of AOB. If you want to bid on the £5,000 t-shirt referenced in 006 of A Problem Squared, join us on the 26th of May, 2022! All proceeds go to Water Aid - links to come. Bec's new book 'Now LiveScreaming' is out now! Go buy it! You can find Yale's incredible evolutionary and ecological chat here: https://vertlife.org/ And just a little recap, seals are in the Mammalian order Carnivora. Humans are in the Mammalian order Primates - 82.1 millions years ago the 'magnorder' of Boreoeutheria split into Euarchontoglires (which later gave us Primates) and Laurasiatheria (which gave us Carnivora). Bec also references ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King in her dinglett.

033 = Super Computers and Putrid Pong Tooters May 09, 2022

In this episode: * Can you alter the smell of your farts based on what you eat? * When does a computer become a supercomputer? * And, Any AOB! A huge thank you to Dr Jess Biesiekierski, you can find them at @jessbersa and @monashnutrition on Twitter, Dr Dr CK Yao, find them at @yao_ck on Twitter and of course, Gareth Turkington , @G_Turkington on Twitter, @gareth.turkington on Insta, who created, sung and recorded the fantastic “Fart Life”. If you want to find out more about pop-off related research referenced by Dr Jess, Dr CK and Bec, please have a look at the papers below: - Gas profiling study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19490976.2018.1451280 - Protein fermentation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26527169/ - Co-supplementation in IBS: https://bit.ly/3M1FnPo - Charcoal cushion study: htt

032 = Mountains, Molehills and Mates Apr 25, 2022

On this episode... * How many molehills would you need to make a mountain out of them? * How do you find friends? * Matt revisits some mistaken maths. Don't forget to send in your Blue Dot Festival problems to us on the website below - we might just do it live! And, as always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared (who doesn't) find us on Twitter and Instagram.

031 = Differing Frames and Numbering Phones Apr 11, 2022

In this episode... * Why are aspect ratios so whack? * How many phone numbers actually exist? * Wheels or Doors: Revisited. * And, closure on A Pudding Squared. A big thank you to Tom Salinsky for helping with this week's problem. You can find more from him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomsalinsky?lang=en and his podcast, Best Pick Pod, here: https://twitter.com/bestpickpod?lang=en If you want to see Matt, Bec AND Lucie at the belated and brilliant Nine Carols variety show on the 16th and 17th of April, you can book tickets here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/nine-lessons-and-carols-for-curious-people-3/ You can check on tickets for Matt's shows here: https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/matt-parker-2 (Disclaimer: The 21st of April may, definitely be sold out.) Bec's NEW BOOK Horror Heights: Now LiveScreaming is available for pre-order here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/bec-hill-2/horror-heights-now-livescreaming/9781444962338/ This is Dexter and Ivy's incredible A Pudding Squared answer, here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/In1cdfg_J4A Don't forget too send in your Blue Dot Festival problems to us on the site below - we might just do it live! As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn't) you can find us on Twitter and Instagram.

030 = Genetic Draws and Wheels vs Doors Mar 28, 2022

In this episode... * What are the odds of having the same child twice? * Wheels or Doors? * And Bec recommends some new nerdy podcasts! Don't forget too send in your Blue Dot Festival problems to us on the website below - we might just do it live! And, as always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com. And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn't) find us on Twitter and Instagram

029 = Product Labels and Public Payrolls Mar 14, 2022

Happy Pi Day 2022!

In this episode...

* Which edible products have protected names?

* How much tax paid by a civil servant would pass into their own salary?

* And of course. We have AOB-B-B-b-b-b....

To watch a crack team of 30 calculate 11 digits of Pi by hand, head over to Stand-up Maths on YouTube.

If you want a qualification of your own, why not take the Food Standards Agency Food Labelling e-course here, or if you'd rather do something else instead, just ask Bec for the source elements.

Get your Blue Dot Festival problems to us on the website below - we might just do it live! And, as always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on aproblemsquared.com.

If you want want even more from A Problem Squared (and who doesn't) find us on Twitter and Instagram

028 = Having a Chat and Nav'ing a Sat Mar 01, 2022

In this episode...

* Could a GPS sat nav work on the moon?

* A Pudding Squared returns.

* An APS announcement.

* AND format news!

If you have any memory of how 'Is This Your Card' started please (please) let us know.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website aproblemsquared.com.

And if you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram.

027 = Postcode Tray Score and Mesh Mask Decor Jan 31, 2022

In this episode... * How do you reuse an old radiotherapy mask? * What is the optimal way to utilise postcodes in Scrabble? * And, the results of our 2021 listener survey are in. For more on radiotherapy masks, head on over to Macmillan. And do check out the Bravery Unmasked project for some truly incredible mask transformations. If you want want even more from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter and Instagram. And as always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com.

026 = Sliding on Snow and Skipping on Sleep Dec 31, 2021

APS 026 is here, and it's the last of the year! In this episode...

* How fast could a team of penguins complete a 4 x 100 relay race?

* How can you fix your sleeping schedule?

* And, AOB - lot's of it!

As ever, we value your thoughts on A Problem Squared so head on over to: www.thatsurvey.ilikeit.aproblemsquared.com and give us some feedback! You can learn more about circadian rhythms here: https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx How to change them, here: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/can-you-change-your-circadian-rhythm Some tried and tested sleep hacks (that really work): https://www.sleepcycle.com/how-to-fall-asleep/serious-sleep-hacks-that-really-work/ More about the B-Society, who help employers and educators to facilitate chronotypes that don’t suit early hours is here: https://www.b-society.org/about/ And, to find out which country you sleep like, follow this link here: https://time.com/4318156/sleep-countries-style/

We would also like to give a special mention to the alternative episode name that we were all very proud of: 'Antarctic Circles and Anarchic Cycles'. And an extra special mention to Bec for coming up with it.

025 = Bec's Beck's and Bucks Nov 30, 2021

In this month's episode Bec finds out how many Beck's beers would fit in Bec Hill. And Matt investigates how much he'd have in Euros, if every person gave him 1 in their local currency.

Plus! A ding is given, and Matt goes to Antarctica.

A big thank you to Adam Kay, Doctor Xand and sword swallowers Snookie Mono and Snake Fervor for their help with this episode.

As always, send your problems to www.aproblemsquared.com, EXCEPT if it's related to Antarctica, in which case, ask on Twitter: @AProblemSquared.

024 = Pumpkin Bores and Bumps 'n' Doors Oct 31, 2021

APS 024 is out now!

And it's a spooky October edition! In this episode...

* What's the largest hole that can be carved in a pumpkin without the pumpkin collapsing?

* How do you stop noisy ghosts rattling doors when you're trying to sleep?

* And, Cupboard of Nupboard: The people have spoken!

023 = The Weight of Words and Graphene for Turds Sep 30, 2021

Yes, that's right. The Weight of Words and Graphene for Turds.

In this month's episode...

If graphene was rolled to the size of a loo roll, how long would that roll be?

What is the weight of the ink in Bec's book?

Plus! The REAL answer to Earth's longest line of sight.

And, Bec and Matt are reunited after two years apart.

If you want want EVEN MORE from A Problem Squared, find us on Twitter, Instagram or Patreon.

And as always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com.

022 = Serial Writing, Lineal Sighting, and Cereal Biting Aug 31, 2021

What's the best way to stay inspired when writing?

Where on earth can you look the furthest away at something else, that is also on the earth?

When eating cereal, what is the milk? Sauce, broth, jus or something else?

Plus! Repurposing crushed bike helmets: Can you, should you?

021 = Inharmonics and Skin-harm-tonics Jul 31, 2021

This is Inharmonics and Skin-harm-tonics!

In this month's episode...

How well can the human voice mimic a dinging bell? Bec teams up with a multi-vocalist Beardyman to tackle this one!

What is the optimal use of sunscreen to create a tan and protect your skin?

Plus: The results from Matt's sunny survey are IN and we have updates from episode 020.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com, or on social media @AProblemSquared.

If you want to master the mysterious art of harmonic singing, you can learn more from Anna Maria on YouTube. And a massive thank you once again to Beardyman. He is on the internet so go check him out!

020 = Filling Up and Falling Down Jun 30, 2021

Score! It's episode 020 of A Problem Squared, Filling Up and Falling Down!

In this episode...

Can we solve global warming by diluting the atmosphere?
What's the funniest way to fall down without hurting yourself?
Plus: The answer to last month's A Pudding Squared, and a final word on Arctic Krill.

As always, if you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com, or on social media.

You can find Matt's favourite mascot fail here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Zph323Dos

For full (en)closure, the solution to the most recent A Pudding Squared, is right here: https://twitter.com/Hellcat_Mama/status/1400053063012995073?s=08

019 = Wetness, Trees and Pet Mysteries May 31, 2021

How did a hamster end up in a listener's apartment on the other side of the world?

How many leaves would humans need to photosynthesise all our energy?

Plus, an update on Dish Splatters: Why don't plastic things dry in the dishwasher?

If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com, or on social media.

It's Pudding, on the 'gram

For Bec's hamster habitat, look no further.

And, welcome to the world of Hamster-tube.

Here are some of Bec's favourite hamster moms, Malica and Victoria.

In the Catch Up segment Matt talks about solving a mathematical quandary: whether all nets of the 4D Hypercube can tile 3D space.

The answer is yes! Here is the link to that video

018 = Make Your Vote Count & New Species Amount Apr 30, 2021

This month, Matt and Bec explore voting systems in elections. Bec wonders what effect it might have to vote for a novelty candidate. And we speak to a special guest who might just know a thing or two about this.

Plus a whole heap of quick-fire problem solving!

Here's the video Matt mentioned that simulates alternate voting systems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhO6jfHPFQU&ab_channel=Primer

017 = All The Hills, Fauna Fills and Sauna Chills Mar 31, 2021

How many Bec Hills could fit in Bexhill?

What species would make the longest queue if you put every individual in a single line?

Plus an update on Bec's coat conundrum!

If you've got a problem or a solution, hit us up on our website www.aproblemsquared.com, or on social media.

Thanks to www.higherdose.com for providing the sauna blanket for the fluffy jacket problem.

To find out more about Mileva Marić and the campaign to have her contributions recognised, visit www.inspiring-girls.com/ig-blog/marijamilevablog

016 = Biscuit Tips and Longer Trips Feb 28, 2021

In this month's episode, Matt investigates what is the optimal way to share biscuits amongst a group, and Bec explores how you can elongate your holiday time using all manner of creative methods.

Plus updates on short shorts and how much Coronavirus is there in the world.

Send your problems at www.aproblemsquared.com

And here's the study Matt referenced about perceptions of Time: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0001295

015 = Getting Plucky and Feeling Lucky Jan 31, 2021

This month Matt and Bec are problem-solving thusly:

Can you cast shadow puppets on the Moon?

Why do champion cyclists wear such short shorts?

Is there such a thing as a lucky person?

Here's a useful graphic of how the Moon orbits Earth https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/from-a-million-miles-away-nasa-camera-shows-moon-crossing-face-of-earth

And this is the article referenced by Bec in the show about body hair: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/02/the-casualties-of-womens-war-on-body-hair/514983/

Send your problems to our new improved website! www.aproblemsquared.com

014 = Final Cheese Drama and Quick-Fire-O-Rama Dec 31, 2020

It's the end of year special!

We have an update on the Cheese Cover Up, the results of the listener survey, and a selection of quick-fire new problems to round off 2020. Plus, what on Earth has Matt been doing to his Christmas tree?

Head to @aproblemsquared on Twitter and Instagram to see images of listeners' cheese packaging recommendations, Matt's pie charts, and Bec's framed Christmas card.

013 = Heavy Lifting and Clever Gifting Nov 30, 2020

What's the most cunning way to move furniture on your own?

Thoughtful ideas for Christmas presents

Answers to the riddle of Pudding's Wheel, including a brilliant piece of maths by a listener.

Recipe for microwave fudge:
3 cups of milk or dark chocolate bits (roughly 500g)
1 tin condensed milk
1/4 cup of butter
Step 1. Microwave all ingredients for 3-5mins, stopping to stir occasionally.
Step 2. Grease or line a deep tray/dish with baking paper and pour in the mix.
Step 3. Refrigerate.
Step 4. Once firm, cut into squares.
(Note from Bec: in Step 2, I like to dust the baking paper with cacao powder and then dust the squares again once cut in Step 4. It helps stop them from immediately melting back into each other. You can also add nuts and dried fruit or spices if you want to get experimental. Make sure you store this in the fridge whenever possible, as it has a low melting point!)

Pudding's instagram: instagram.com/hamsterpud

012 = Series of Teeth and Queries of Cheese Oct 31, 2020

To celebrate 12 episodes we're collecting some data! If you can, fill in the listener survey: http://thatsurvey.ilikeit.aproblemsquared.com

Does this cheese look like it has 41% less packaging? https://www.dropbox.com/s/kuj16lmkgrx8w7i/41cheese.jpeg?dl=0

Here's the wikipedia page we used to make sense of shark teeth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_tooth#/media/File:How_to_count_shark_teeth.png

The Weaire-Phelan structure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaire%E2%80%93Phelan_structure

What a truncated octahedron looks like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truncated_octahedron

And a spinning one!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Truncatedoctahedron.gif
MATT'S CALCULATIONS
A 140mm × 60mm × 46mm block of cheese has a volume of 386.4 cm^3 and a surface area of 352 cm^2. To give a 41% reduction the original needs to have the same volume of cheese but an area of 596.6 cm^2.
Matt assumed there are 4,200,000 current infections and each person has 400,000 virus particles per mL across 2L of fluid. If the SARS-CoV-2 particle has a diameter of 150nm and stacks like spheres with 74% efficiency: those 3,360,000,000,000,000 current virus particles would fill only 8mL, aka "about a teaspoon".

011 = Massive Halls and Ambassadors' Balls Sep 30, 2020

How long is a year of A Problem Squared podcasts?

What's the qualification for a room being a room?

Is the famous Ferrero Rocher advert mathematically possible?

You can visit the Crafts Council campaign here: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/support-us/appeals-and-projects/lets-craft-packs-children

Delve into luxury with the original Ferrero Rocher ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P-nZZkQqTc

The best-known packings of equal circles in a circle http://hydra.nat.uni-magdeburg.de/packing/cci/d1.html

Correction: Bec's episode of Jonathan Ross's Comedy Club aired on 19th September (Series 1 Episode 2)

010 = Heat Fighting and Typewriting Aug 31, 2020

- How can you keep cool when there's no air conditioning?

- What's the best thing to do with a spare room? (If you're lucky enough to have one, that is.)

- How much would the Big Macadamia Nut be worth if it was an actual nut?

- Why are typewriters mysterious?

Matt's long-awaited topography video, inspired by a problem in the show, is here at last! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtKhbbcc1Rc

You can see the typewriter patent here: https://patents.google.com/patent/US207559A/en

And for Bec's 5KTS t-shirt, head here: www.bechillcomedian.com/5kts/square

009 = Big Statues and Big Stack Chews Jul 31, 2020

- Could pennies make a girlfriend for the Statue of Liberty?
- What's the optimum burger size for your mouth?
- Where is Matt's topography video?

Here's Bec's burger video analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAc2ukZVtdk

And for Bec's 5KTS t-shirt, head here: www.bechillcomedian.com/5kts/square

008 = Height Matters and Dish Splatters Jun 30, 2020

- Why are kitchen counters one-size-fits-all?
- Are the recorded surface areas of countries 3D?
- Why don't plastic things dry in the dishwasher?

Special thanks to:
Gareth and Kiruna (@garethandkiruna on TikTok and PIrate & Parrot TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHX3-ZTmi60fYtcnO4VOPSQ)
Ed Warner from Motionspot (https://www.motionspot.co.uk/, www.fineandable.co.uk and @themotionspot on social media)
Check out www.podcastsincolor.com for an exhaustive and excellent list of podcast recommendations.

And for Bec's 5KTS t-shirt, head here: www.bechillcomedian.com/5kts/square

007 = Big Thing Fans and Retirement Plans May 31, 2020

- What is the biggest big thing?
- Is the lottery a good retirement plan?
- Update on the £5,000 t-shirt.
- The taster data has popped.

Support us on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

Review us on apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-problem-squared/id1490290676

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aproblemsquared
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/

This is the bear with very long legs. Very long. Legs.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/bradesposito/people-are-losing-it-over-this-giant-teddy-bear-that-just

Tallest Filing Cabinet on Earth
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-s-tallest-filing-cabinet

The difference between Financial Advice and Financial Guidance.
https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/understanding-advice-guidance-investments

Get your own free financial guidance from here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/getting-financial-advice/

Bec's £5000 T-SHIRT
http://www.bechillcomedian.com/shop

Here's Mr Squiggle, he's lots of fun for everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdmsE-Bff7k

Check out our instagram for photos.
https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/

006 = Squaring Shirts and Testing Toasters Apr 30, 2020

Support us on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

Submit your data for our toaster investigation.
http://bit.ly/APS_toasterdata

Mike Hill wrote up his calculations as an official report.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m0njel6x5xcg0z5/T-Shirt%20Quest.docx?dl=0

Energy Scavengers: Static Electricity Could Power the World
https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/energy-scavengers-static-electricity-could-power-the-world

International Electrotechnical Commission standards 60065
https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/494

Limmy's channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/LimmyDotComBlog/

Limmys Show: Whats heavier a kilogram of steel or a kilogram of feathers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fC2oke5MFg

005 = Airplane Stacks and Backpack Hacks Apr 01, 2020

- What went wrong with the audio of episode 003?
- The best place to put a backpack on a crowded train.
- How many Boeing 737s will fit?
- Making a perfect guest bedroom.
- Bonus: Bec has feedback on Matt's rice calculation

Support us on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

Review us on apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-problem-squared/id1490290676

Twiiter: https://twitter.com/aproblemsquared
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/

Listen to the BROKEN version of episode 003 and see how you hear Bec!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kvdbytyu1jazr15/A%20Problem%20Squared%20Episode%20003%20BROKEN.mp3?dl=0

Wikipedia page on surround sound Matrix Decoding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_decoder

Watch Bec's flip-chart of "Non Je Ne Regrette Rien" by Edith Piaf.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTH9MKiYvM0

This is the audio file of Non Je Ne Regrette Rien that Bec sometimes has problems with.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zfh910uve85vdvk/Edith%20Piaf%20-%20Non%2C%20Je%20ne%20regrette%20rien.mp3?dl=0

There are only 10,575 Boeing 737s which have been made and delivered.
http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report

Check out our instagram for photos of the 'Futuristic Garden' Bec gave Matt for their spare room.
https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/

004 = Quarantine Kits and Contagion Calculus Mar 24, 2020

- Why is this episode so late?
- What to take when in hospital quarantine?
- Tips for working at home from two pros.
- Does the exponential maths of viral memes check out?

Get in touch if you'd like to share your working-from-home space. We'd love to see it!

https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/
https://twitter.com/AProblemSquared

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

003 = Teeth Tips and Defining Decades Jan 31, 2020

- When does the new decade start?
- The best system for brushing teeth.
- How many orders are there for Bec's show?
- Top travel tips.

Get in touch if you have any more travel tips!

https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/
https://twitter.com/AProblemSquared

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aproblemsquared

002 = Too Much Pizza, Not Enough Space Dec 31, 2019

- How much pizza is too much pizza?
- What is the optimal way to store shirts?
- How should Matt deal with jetlag?

Update from episode 001: someone embroidered their shoes!
http://twitter.com/AlexRob2001/status/1200926733807095809

SHOW 002 LINKS:

Watch Bec on the Jonathan Ross show:
https://youtu.be/1x9dGTSA1-I

The Ri Lectures are on iPlayer now and the Ri channel a month later:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pmbqq
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRoyalInstitution

All the images we mention are on our instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/aproblemsquared/

001 = Sizing Shoes and Selling Organs Nov 30, 2019

Problems featured in this episode:

What's the deal with shoe sizes?
Buy my body!
Re-refridgeration.
Nice knick-knacks for nieces.

Bec Hill: http://bechillcomedian.com/
Matt Parker: http://standupmaths.com/

CORRECTIONS:

01:04 Matt says "early adapter" when he means "early adopter". But it could be both. It’s a podcast that changes you.

18:08 Bec says "4" instead of "6". Don't worry: the maths was all ok. Phew.

26:22 Bec says "implicit permission" when she means "explicit permission". She will definitely double check before she repurposes any one else's teeth.

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