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Artwork for A Problem Squared

A Problem Squared

Matt Parker, Bec Hill
Comedy
Australia
Mathematics
Cycling
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Podcasting
Lint
Problem Solving
Rubik's Cube
Ordnance Survey Maps
Twin Films
Nonsense Scenarios
Tumble Dryer
Recycling
Fourth Dimension
Emoji Debate
Patreon
Spaghettification
Tire Dust
Mountain Climbing

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 released twokly on Mondays.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes144Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Comedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for A Problem Squared

Latest Episodes

⚽ What’s the fairest way to pick teams?

🤖 How do you discourage colleagues from using AI to write everything?

🚗 And this road trip is jeopardised by playing ‘Accelerator or Break?’

Thanks to all of you who sent in answers to “what are you doing ... more

There's no new episode of A Problem Squared this week - sorry everyone - but we will be back with your scheduled Episode 140 on MONDAY 10TH AUGUST 2026, and our normal twokly service will be resumed from MONDAY 17TH AUGUST 2026.

We're delaying one ... more

🎺 What would standard instruments sound like if they were played under water?

🎯 What would be the average score of one randomly thrown dart?

📂 And there’s some Any Other Business.AOB.zip

On THIS episode of A Problem Squared we’re joined by a sp... more

📝 What is the perfect arrangement of black squares in a crossword?

🚣 Does weight on an aqueduct increase as a boat goes over it?

🛟 And there’s some Any Other Boardness (not ‘boredness’)

Head to our BlueSky/Twitter/Instagram to see some crosswor... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Steve Pretty
Musician, trumpet player and composer, host of Steve Pretty and the Origin Of The Pieces
The Origin Of The Pieces; Shell Electronica
Episode: 139 = Music Down Where It’s Wetter and Throwing Darts Better
Jane Gregory
Clinical psychologist and researcher specialising in misophonia
University/Clinical Practice (as described)
Episode: 137 = Sound Advice and Electron Price
Dr. Sophie the Dentist
Dentist guest answering questions on oral health
Episode: 134 = Tooth and Rock Day 2026
Darryl J Carrington
Professional juggler and clown
Former head of juggling at Circo Media
Episode: 118 = Rolling Eyes and Juggling Highs
Katie Steckles
Mathematician and frequent contributor to discussions about game theory
Mathematician
Episode: 100 = Orchestral Seats and Calculator Beef

Hosts

Matt Parker
Mathematician and co-host of the show; host of A Problem Squared; known for introducing problems and leading math discussions.
Bec Hill
Co-host of A Problem Squared; performer/comedian; co-host who participates in problem-solving banter and demonstrations.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 3.5k ratings
  • title goes here

    This podcast has so many reasons to listen to it. It’s very funny, with both hosts being stand-up people (Bec is an actual stand-up comedian, and Matt calls himself a “stand up mathematician”). It’s also great for you to learn things you never knew, while never making the listener feel stupid. Other reasons to listen include: being a fan of Bec Hill and wanting more of her content, being a fan of Matt Parker and wanting more of his content, wanting to hear a live recording of de-facto merch bein... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jdjdhednb
    Australia17 days ago
  • A real Dinger!

    If I could rate this 0 out of 5 stars I would, not because it is bad but because it would be funny :P

    The best (and only podcast other than Matt’s other show ‘a podcast of unnecessary detail’) I have ever listened to on an ongoing basis. Why aren’t there were more podcasts like this? - see if you can solve that problem guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AllMyUsernamesAreAllreadyTaken
    Australia4 months ago
  • Terrible python code

    Hey Matt and Bec.

    Was fairly anxious recently (*waves at world*) and after music and audio books were making it worse, I popped on A problem Squared. It was playing, I was enjoying it, and then Matt mentioned solving a problem, and Bec said “I bet you wrote some terrible python code” and I laughed. And I felt much better. (It was countries with borders and Q).

    You two are great. Thanks for being you and bringing a bit of light into the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    allochthon
    United States5 months ago
  • The one to keep

    Honestly, this is one of the most charming pieces of media out there, hosted by two of the most charming people you could imagine.

    Give it a try.

    You’ll likely never want to listen to any other podcast after this, because you will have found the one to keep!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pieksebart
    Germany5 months ago
  • Great stuff!

    Fun and surprisingly educational! Great job guys.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TJ Industries
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the hosts' chemistry and their ability to make complex topics feel approachable.
Fans highlight the show as educational, entertaining, and great for casual learning.
Listeners praise warmth and charm of the hosts, noting a cozy, approachable vibe.
Audience enjoys the balance of nerdy math with accessible humor and banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#181
Chile/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#185
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#206
New Zealand/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#215
Belgium/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#215
Netherlands/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#220
Poland/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

134 = Tooth and Rock Day 2026
Q: What is the tipping point for delaying brushing after eating—how often would someone have to forget to brush 30 minutes later to negate the benefits?
The consensus is that the negative impact of occasional forgetfulness is so small that it does not counteract the overall benefit of delaying brushing; brushing remains recommended and personalized by dentist advice.
127 = Labelling Consumables and Conceivable Numerals
Q: What's the smallest number that has never been written down in human history?
According to the discussion, if you write down a number with 50 digits, there's a 0.0000001 probability that someone else has written it down before.
118 = Rolling Eyes and Juggling Highs
Q: How can you train someone to juggle effectively?
Start with one ball and gradually increase to seven by throwing accurately at the necessary height.
118 = Rolling Eyes and Juggling Highs
Q: What are your thoughts on how long it would take to teach someone to juggle seven balls?
If they were really focused, it could be possible in around 12 weeks.
113 = Marg Ana Names and Mid Career Change
Q: If you had to retrain, what would you do?
If Matt had to choose a different career, he mentioned he would consider becoming an actuary.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Problem Squared

What is A Problem Squared about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts blend mathematics, problem solving, and lighthearted banter with a collaborative problem-solving approach. Episodes routinely feature listener-submitted questions, demonstrations, and accessible explanations of concepts ranging from geometry and probability to everyday puzzles, all delivered with warmth, humor, and clear teaching. Notable traits include high audience engagement, a knack for turning geeky topics into entertaining conversations, and a strong emphasis on making math feel approachable for a broad listener base. The format is well suited for listeners who enjoy learning through witty dialogue, demonstrations, and practical math insights in a friendly, non-technical tone.

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How many listeners does A Problem Squared get?

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How many subscribers and views does A Problem Squared have?

To see how many followers or subscribers A Problem Squared has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to A Problem Squared?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Problem Squared:

1. Lateral with Tom Scott
2. Let's Learn Everything!
3. Escape This Podcast
4. No Such Thing As A Fish
5. The Rest Is Science

How many episodes of A Problem Squared are there?

A Problem Squared launched 7 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Problem Squared?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for A Problem Squared?

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What guests have appeared on A Problem Squared?

Recent guests on A Problem Squared include:

1. Steve Pretty
2. Jane Gregory
3. Dr. Sophie the Dentist
4. Darryl J Carrington
5. Katie Steckles

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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