A Problem Squared cover art

A Problem Squared

A Problem Squared

Written by: Matt Parker Bec Hill
Listen for free

About this listen

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.Matt Parker, Bec Hill
Episodes
  • 126 = Temperature Levels and Special Vessels
    Jan 19 2026

    🧊 Why doesn’t the coldest day fall on the shortest day?

    🥂 If you don’t drink, what can you use fancy drinking glasses for?

    🏊 And we take the plunge into some Any Other Brrrrrrrness.


    If you’d like to read about defibrillator testing using a turkey, here’s the paper sent in by Hans: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12879378/


    If you’d like to see Matt and Bec - alongside Steve Mould and Helen Arney and more - at An Evening Of Unnecessary Detail in London on Monday 26th January, you can get tickets here:

    https://www.universe.com/events/an-evening-of-unnecessary-detail-tickets-TFK426?ref=ticketmaster


    If you’d like to see Bec at the Adelaide Fringe in March, you can get tickets here: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/bec-hill-creates-the-perfect-show-work-in-progress-af2026


    And if you’d like to see Matt on tour, all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here: http://standupmaths.com/shows


    If you’d like to ask Matt and Bec anything for our special 2^7 episode in February go to the Problem Posing Page at aproblemsquared.com - select ‘Problem’ and start your message with AMA! Please get your AMA questions in by Friday 23rd January 2026!


    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!

    If you’re already 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.




    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 125 = Toots from Bums and Attitude Sums
    Jan 5 2026

    💨 How many people are needed to guarantee that there is always someone farting somewhere?

    🔠 If you match each letter with the corresponding number in the alphabet and add them together, which words add up to 100.

    🏁 And there is some unfinished business.


    Head to our socials for pictures of Matt’s Homemade Sea Salt and Bec’s Brilliant Branding, an assortment of Massive Hourglasses, the beautiful sketch of Bec, and a smiley jerk on the beach in the sunshine 🌅


    Here is the full list of words that add up to 100 (and do be warned that it contains some words that may not be suitable for young eyes)

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r0u9hnx0c63ma3ovky3gp/100_letter_sum_shuffled.txt?rlkey=n62ik3j22tnwujod53wqrf4cc&e=1&dl=0



    If you have a suggestion of dates for us to do a Rock Special and a Tooth Special,, go to the Problem Posing Page at aproblemsquared.com and select ‘Solution’ and do mention ‘International Teeth Day’


    See Matt on tour in 2026!

    http://standupmaths.com/shows


    Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter:

    https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths


    And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6


    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!

    If you’re already 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.


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • 124 = Dangerous Angling and Harmonious Wrangling
    Dec 22 2025

    👼 What is the Angle of Death?

    🎼 What is the best filing system for sheet music?

    🎄And there’ll be some A-ho-ho-ho-B



    If you have any maths-studio-based-names for the Newdio, go to the Problem Posing Page at aproblemsquared.com and select ‘Solution’ and be as funny and punny as possible!


    If you’d like to ask Matt and Bec anything for our special 2^7 episode in February go to the Problem Posing Page at aproblemsquared.com - select ‘Problem’ and start your message with AMA!


    See Matt on tour in 2026! http://standupmaths.com/shows


    Here’s how to get involved with Matt’s Moon Pi Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/standupmaths


    And here’s how to volunteer for Calculate Pi By Hand with Matt: https://forms.gle/w44THpNJ3jWUPqHy6


    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard - and a special APS Christmas Card!

    If you’re already 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.


    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
No reviews yet