Numberphile is an educationalYouTube channel featuring videos that explore topics from a variety of fields of mathematics.[2][3] In the early days of the channel, each video focused on a specific number, but the channel has since expanded its scope,[4] featuring videos on more advanced mathematical concepts such as Fermat's Last Theorem, the Riemann hypothesis[5] and Kruskal's tree theorem.[6] The videos are produced by Brady Haran, a former BBC video journalist and creator of Periodic Videos, Sixty Symbols, and several other YouTube channels.[7] Videos on the channel feature several university professors, maths communicators and famous mathematicians.[8][9]
In 2018, Haran released a spin-off audio podcast titled The Numberphile Podcast.[10]
YouTube channel
The Numberphile YouTube channel was started on 15 September 2011. Most videos consist of Haran interviewing an expert on a number, mathematical theorem or other mathematical concept.[11] The expert usually draws out their explanation on a large piece of brown paper and attempts to make the concepts understandable to the average, non-mathematician viewer.[12] It is supported by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and Math for America.[13][14] Haran also runs the "Numberphile2" channel, which includes extra footage and further detail than the main channel.[15]
Reception
Numberphile consistently rates among the top YouTube channels in math and education.[16][17][18][19][20] The channel was nominated for a Shorty Award in Education in 2016.[21]The New York Times said that, "at Numberphile, mathematicians discourse, enthusiastically and winningly, on numbers", and The Independent described the channel as "insanely popular".[22][23]The Sunday Times said, "The mathematical stars of social media, such as James Grime and Matt Parker, entertain legions of fans with glorious videos demonstrating how powerful and playful maths can be."[24]
New Scientist listed Numberphile as one of the top ten science channels on YouTube in 2019.[25]
In 2024, Brady Haran was awarded the Christopher Zeeman Medal recognising excellence in the communication of mathematics for his work, including Numberphile.[26]
Contributors
The Numberphile channel has hosted a wide array of mathematicians, computer scientists, scientists and science writers, including:[27]
Haran started a podcast titled The Numberphile Podcast in 2018 as a sister project. The podcast focuses more heavily on the lives and personalities of the subjects of the videos.[62]
