A Problem Squared 122 = Shocking Theories with Quickfire Queries
Nov 24, 2025
In a whirlwind of fun, Matt and Bec tackle quickfire problems, from the surprising logistical limits of using a defibrillator to cook chicken to brainstorming the best cat names starting with Y. They explore the intricacies of which letters are silent in words like 'scent' and share playful ideas for creatively thanking wedding guests. Expect witty banter about name mispronunciation and a unique approach to naming Dr. Sophie's gaming garage, all while inviting listeners to submit questions for an upcoming AMA!
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374 Outfits Turned Into A Maths Project
- Matt Parker bought 18 clothing items (five shirts, five ties, five socks, three hats) to create 375 distinct outfits for a year of daily variations.
- He filmed himself wearing each outfit in stop-motion, realised one outfit was missed, and later wore the missing one live on the podcast.
A Cultured Night At London Jazz Cafe
- Bec Hill attended Too Many Zoos at the London Jazz Cafe and treated herself to a table ticket with a meal included.
- She preferred the seated, cultured experience over cheaper standing tickets and enjoyed the varied brass-house performance.
Why A Defibrillator Won't Cook Food
- A defibrillator cannot reliably cook a chicken because it doesn't provide sustained, evenly distributed heat and follows paths of least resistance.
- Short, high-voltage pulses and biological conduction make internal cooking and bacterial kill-off unlikely, so the practical answer is no.