

A Problem Squared
Matt Parker, Bec Hill
Matt Parker and Bec Hill present: A Problem Squared. A podcast dedicated to solving problems of all kinds, such as, "What should I listen to right now?". A Podcast Squared. First one's free. You're welcome.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 15, 2024 • 47min
077 = Earth That Quakes and Quick Fire Takes
The podcast delves into the intriguing topic of earthquake statistics, exploring patterns and occurrences over the past 4,000 years. The hosts engage in comical banter about stolen tortilla chips and typos, along with humorous discussions on cold water swimming and celebratory head shaving. They also provide podcast recommendations, interact with fans, and correct calculations on using farts for lifting.

Jan 1, 2024 • 38min
076 = Human Pasta and Strada Romana
Calculations on the length of human spaghetti and if all roads truly lead to Rome. Playful banter about upcoming live event at Flappers Comedy Club. Exotic holiday snack flavors and a debate on airplane window bleed holes. Exploring oxygen masks science and the whimsical concept of spaghettification. Address formats in different countries and listener shoutouts for corrections and hot chocolate success.

Dec 18, 2023 • 43min
075 = Roman Recursion and Role-Play Immersion
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.

7 snips
Dec 4, 2023 • 48min
074 = Chocolate Powder Fails and Consonant/Vowel Details
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.

Nov 20, 2023 • 49min
073 = Farting Thrust and Pocket Mistrust
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.

Nov 6, 2023 • 57min
072 = The Perfect Paint Set and Rubik's Reset
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.

Oct 24, 2023 • 54min
071 = Snap Probability and Zombie Mobility
Discover the quirky intersection of probability and gaming as the hosts analyze how using two packs of cards in Snap changes the likelihood of matches. Ever wondered if zombies can ride bicycles? They delve into this whimsical question with humor and cultural references. Plus, the excitement builds around Brussels Comic Con, and personal anecdotes about holiday math and Christmas card designs add to the festive spirit. Enjoy their light-hearted banter and insights into community support through Patreon!

6 snips
Oct 16, 2023 • 59min
070 = Speaking Profanities and Lettered Localities
The podcast covers topics like rude words in other languages, letter positions in English words, mistaken translations, flying planes on the German autobahn, printable platonic solid doorknobs, Viking mugs, and solving kids' problems.

6 snips
Sep 25, 2023 • 47min
069 = Tiling Planes and Driving Planes
Topics discussed: optimal math-based pattern for decorating a home, flying a plane on the autobahn, art installation symbolizing time, organizing a game of hide and seek in a park, math-themed home decorations, non-repeating tiling patterns, mathematician decorations, applying wings to a car, counting dice in a jar.

Sep 12, 2023 • 32min
068 = Big Feastival and Bike Intervals
The hosts discuss their festival experience, including strategies for dealing with rain and meeting famous people. They also explore the benefits of eBikes for commuting, address carbon emissions savings of cycling compared to driving, and analyze carbon dioxide produced when cycling. Additionally, they analyze strawberry production and contemplate if there could be exactly one strawberry per person. They also explore the difference between the imagined and actual definition of a ton, and express gratitude towards Patreon supporters.