Linear Thinking: A Puzzle Involving a Linear System of Equations
Release Date: 11/01/2023
Finding Primo: The Search for Very Large Primes
The Math Club
Have you heard the big news? There’s a new largest known prime number, and Noah wants to know how it was discovered. In this episode, Pete explains the various tests used to determine the primality of insanely large numbers, and there’s even a prime challenge for you to sink your teeth into.
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Talkin' 'bout My Generation: A Deep Dive into The Math Club
The Math Club
Are you ready to revisit the best of The Math Club? Pete and Noah share a trip down memory lane with a pair of special guests. But as they dive deeper into their past episodes, a nagging feeling grows harder to ignore.. Who are these mysterious guests, and what strange secret are they hiding from our hosts? Episodes we reference in our conversation:
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Elective Procedures: The Mathematics of Voting Systems
The Math Club
The memory of a restaurant-choosing game from grad school inspires Pete and Noah to look at different voting systems, and the math behind how they work to select a winning candidate. From standard majority rules to ranked choice to plurality with elimination, join our hosts for a lively (and timely) conversation about how our voting system can be just as important as our vote.
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Two Heads are Better Than One: A Counterintuitive Coin Flipping Problem
The Math Club
An unlikely string of coin flips leads to a conversation about a counterintuive puzzle that Pete found online. Join in on the fun as Pete and Noah dissect this problem, and talk about multiple ways to approach understanding its solution. • • • • •
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Mini Series
The Math Club
Hey Math Club... Pete and Noah need your help with a data mystery, so they put this mini-episode together. If you think you have any info that can help shed some light, drop us a line...
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Houston, We Have Some Problems: Currently Unsolved Math Questions
The Math Club
Unsolved. From the origin of Stonehenge, to the identity of Jack the Ripper, to the location of all those missing dryer socks, the world is full of unsolved questions. But what about math? Join Pete and Noah as they discuss some of the great unsolved problems facing mathematicians today.
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Making it Count: An Interview with MATHCOUNTS
The Math Club
Pete’s efforts to help Noah prepare for an upcoming math competition lead to a conversation with Kristen Chandler, the executive director of MATHCOUNTS. Join Pete and Noah as they learn about this fascinating organization that provides engaging math programs to middle school students around the country.
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Hire Order Thinking: Exploring Optimal Stopping Theory
The Math Club
A batch of almost perfect waffles leads Pete and Noah into an exploration of an interesting probability result. Come find out how, whether you’re eating breakfast or hiring a new employee, math is here to help you make the best choice.
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Double Dealing: The Mathematics of Deal or No Deal, Part 2
The Math Club
It’s time for our second episode about the mathematics of Deal or No Deal. At the end of Part 1, Noah asked Pete if The Banker follows certain set rules or patterns when deciding how much to offer contestants, and a challenge was born. Is it possible to use data from past shows to devise an algorithm that can predict the offers? Stay tuned as Pete takes Noah along on his mathematical journey in search of a model that works.
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What's the Deal?: The Mathematics of Deal or No Deal
The Math Club
The recent return of this classic game show prompts Pete and Noah to discuss the probability and statistics at work, to see if they can figure out what makes for a "good deal". Join in as they dive into the mathematics behind the show. They'll even present you with a challenge that could earn you a shout out on a future episode.
info_outlineIn this episode, Pete and Noah tackle an “unsolvable math problem” that appeared in a recent Newsweek article (Spoiler: It's not that unsolvable). Join us as we apply linear algebra to this puzzle from start to Finnish.