Hello, Puzzlers! Grant Sanderson plays "Which Big Number is Bigger"
Jan 19, 2026
In this fun discussion, Grant Sanderson, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Three Blue One Brown, dives into the intriguing world of math and puzzles. He shares his unique perspective on Wordle, comparing human intuition to algorithmic strategies. Listeners will enjoy a segment where he determines which big number reigns supreme, like ants vs. nanoseconds. Grant also tackles the mind-boggling concept of combinatorial explosion and offers insights on overcoming math phobia with engaging puzzles. Plus, he reveals the quirky origins of his channel's name!
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Termite Hills and Insect Vastness
- Grant described driving in remote Australia and seeing countless termite hills.
- That scene convinced him of the vastness of insect populations.
Combinatorics Creates Astronomical Sizes
- Combinatorial multiplication causes astronomical numbers quickly.
- 52! (deck permutations) vastly exceeds reasonable estimates for stars in the universe.
Avogadro Trumps Rare Birthday Odds
- Avogadro's number makes molecule counts enormous even for small volumes.
- An eight-ounce glass of water contains about 10^23 molecules, dwarfing rare-event probabilities like four leap-day birthdays.
