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A Problem Squared

Latest episodes

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Jul 7, 2025 • 55min

113 = Marg Ana Names and Mid Career Change

Discover the quirky significance of names as the hosts playfully analyze their uniqueness and discuss the art of naming children. They share hilarious personal anecdotes about teeth, including the whimsical
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5 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 47min

112 = Staring Safely At The Sun and Celebrations Off By One

Can you safely look at the sun? Discover the science of solar viewing and the distances needed for eye safety. The hosts also grapple with the quirks of anniversary celebrations, discussing the infamous 'off by one' mistake. Dive into the thrill of live comedy performances and the unique dynamics of audience expectations. Plus, hear amusing anecdotes about preparations for the Edinburgh Fringe and some mathematical musings about dice in casinos. The blend of humor and science makes for an engaging and enlightening discussion!
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Jun 10, 2025 • 57min

111 = Mnemonic Serenading and Mechanism Naming

Discover why melodies stick in our heads more than sentences. Enjoy a hilarious tale of comedy on a tiny train and the ambitious idea of calculating pi on the moon. Dive into the challenges of coding for a lunar rover and explore inventive naming for motors, sparking laughter and creativity. Learn how memory intertwines with emotion, revealing quirky techniques to enhance recall through scents and songs. This lively discussion balances fun storytelling with intriguing science!
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8 snips
May 26, 2025 • 55min

110 = Inventive Dice and Paperwork Advice

Delve into the quirky world of dice design, where creativity meets complex math. Discover the hosts' humorous take on paperwork, coining fun terms like 'madmin' and ‘ladmin’ while debating digital vocabulary. Enjoy lighthearted stories, including a bike accident mishap and playful games of Battleship. The blend of inventive discussions and listener engagement keeps the banter lively and entertaining, making mundane topics surprisingly enjoyable!
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13 snips
May 12, 2025 • 1h 1min

109 = Fourth Dimensions and Love Conventions

4️⃣ What would it look like to be trapped in a 4D world?🥰 What is the meaning of marriage?✨Izzy Wizzy Let’s Get AOBusyHead 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-mathsAnd 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.
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7 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 4min

108 = Proofed Mates and Proved Dates

The hosts share funny stories from a concert and explore the joys of spontaneity. They discuss the delicate art of addressing a friend's drinking habits, merging humor with tact. Travel tales reveal the quirks of jet lag and airline experiences. A whimsical look at unconventional communication methods includes skywriting and the need for creative strategies. They also dive into digital security with a focus on hashing and listener contributions, wrapping up with playful banter about Fugglers and a fun game reminiscent of Battleship.
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Apr 14, 2025 • 56min

107 = Megabytes and Satellites

Discover the quirky differences between digital measurements as the hosts break down the confusing world of bytes and gigabytes. They tackle amusing anecdotes about pediatric dentistry and reflect on humorous meeting mishaps. Learn about the advancements in lunar GPS technology and the challenges NASA faces. Plus, enjoy whimsical discussions on giant bikes for hamsters and local landmarks like the Big Prawn. It's a lighthearted exploration of science and humor that will leave you entertained and more informed!
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4 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 56min

106 = Travel ABC and Art of Karate

Discover the whimsical concept of an alphabetically perfect travel route through 26 countries! Laugh along as the hosts tackle hilarious scenarios involving penguins and physics. They creatively brainstorm ways to transform broken karate boards into artistic decor, celebrating the beauty in imperfections. Enjoy amusing anecdotes about oversized attractions and learn about the shaka sign's origins. Plus, dive into a mathematical challenge on how to wrap the Earth with paper while appreciating listener feedback and the joy of live performances!
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Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 4min

105 = Next Prime Dates and Ancient Gag Rates

Discover when the next Prime Number Day is and enjoy a dive into the fascinating world of geology with witty rock anecdotes. Delight in comedic tales of driving adventures and the trials of a beloved coffee maker. Explore the magic of prime dates and the coding challenges that come with them, all while sipping coffee! Unravel the timeless nature of humor with ancient jokes and modern laughs, and hear playful listener tales that encapsulate the hosts' camaraderie and charm.
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13 snips
Mar 3, 2025 • 49min

104 = Paper Spread and Pencil Lead

Curious if A-45 paper can wrap the Earth? The hosts dive into this quirky mathematical dilemma with humor. They also explore why we still call pencil graphite 'lead' and share fascinating tales from fossil caves, featuring a child's impressive geological knowledge. Their lighthearted take on the physics of sound at AstroFest adds another layer of fun. Expect playful banter, logic puzzles, and amusing anecdotes about pencils that bring fresh insight to everyday tools!

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