A Problem Squared

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....

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 a...

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.  

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. G...

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.pn...

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 T...

- 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 c...

- 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

- 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 @th...

- 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...

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-ele...

- 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:...

- 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

- 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

- 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...

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 a...