Numberphile
Websitewww.numberphile.com
Youtube handleNumberphile
Youtube years active2011–present
Youtube genreEducational entertainment
Youtube subscribers4.72 million
Youtube views717 million
Stats update21 February 2026

Numberphile is an educational YouTube channel featuring videos that explore topics from a variety of fields of mathematics.[1][2] In the early days of the channel, each video focused on a specific number, but the channel has since expanded its scope,[3] featuring videos on more advanced mathematical concepts such as Fermat's Last Theorem, the Riemann hypothesis[4] and Kruskal's tree theorem.[5] The videos are produced by Brady Haran, a former BBC video journalist and creator of Periodic Videos, Sixty Symbols, and several other YouTube channels.[6] Videos on the channel feature several university professors, maths communicators and famous mathematicians.[7][8]

In 2018, Haran released a spin-off audio podcast titled The Numberphile Podcast.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] It is supported by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and Math for America.[12][13] Haran also runs the "Numberphile2" channel, which includes extra footage and further detail than the main channel.[14]

Reception

Numberphile consistently rates among the top YouTube channels in math and education.[15][16][17][18] The channel was nominated for a Shorty Award in Education in 2016.[19] The New York Times said that, "at Numberphile, mathematicians discourse, enthusiastically and winningly, on numbers", and The Independent described the channel as "insanely popular".[20][21] The Sunday Times said, "The mathematical stars of social media, such as James Grime and Matt Parker, entertain legions of fans with striking videos demonstrating how powerful and playful maths can be."[22]

New Scientist listed Numberphile as one of the top ten science channels on YouTube in 2019.[23]

In 2024, Brady Haran was awarded the Christopher Zeeman Medal recognising excellence in the communication of mathematics for his work, including Numberphile.[24]

Contributors

The Numberphile channel has hosted a wide array of mathematicians, computer scientists, scientists and science writers, including:[25]

The Numberphile Podcast

The Numberphile Podcast
HostingBrady Haran
GenreInterview
Length25–75 minutes
LanguageEnglish
Began4 November 2018
Related shows
Websitewww.numberphile.com/podcast

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.[60]

References

  1. ^ Schultz, Colin. "The Great Debate Over Whether 1+2+3+4..+ ∞ = −1/12". Smithsonian Magazine
  2. ^ Ryan, Jackson. "Earth is getting a black box to record events that lead to the downfall of civilization". CNET. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  3. ^ Merow, Sophia D. (2024-01-02). "A Duodecade of Numberphile: The "Original Maths YouTube Channel" Turns 12". Math Horizons. 31 (1): 20–23. doi:10.1080/10724117.2023.2224682. ISSN 1072-4117
  4. ^ Lamb, Evelyn. "Does 1+2+3... Really Equal −1/12?". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  5. ^ Bennett, Jay (20 October 2017). "The Enormity of the Number TREE(3) Is Beyond Comprehension". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  6. ^ Lloyd, Robert (April 1, 2016). "As VidCon gets underway, science presenters rule the Web". Los Angeles Times
  7. ^ Overbye, Dennis (3 February 2014). "In the End, It All Adds Up to – 1/12". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  8. ^ Hershberger, Scott (November 2022). "The World of YouTube Math Communication". Notices Of The American Mathematical Society
  9. ^ "The Numberphile Podcast". Brady Haran. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  10. ^ GrrlScientist (5 March 2012). "145 and the melancoil: What do narcissistic numbers and happy numbers share with the wild events that transpire when mathematicians visit the pub?". The Guardian
  11. ^ Swanson, Ana (March 1, 2016). "ECONOMIC POLICY: The eerie math that could predict terrorist". The Washington Post
  12. ^ Numberphile sponsors Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
  13. ^ Numberphile Nominated in Education 8th Annual Shorty Awards
  14. ^ Haran, Brady. "Numberphile2". YouTube. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  15. ^ Kharbach, Med (December 18, 2022). "Best YouTube Math Channels". YouTube Channels for Teachers.
  16. ^ Michelle, Jacqueline (December 21, 2022). "Top 10 Best Math YouTube Channels". History-Computer. History-Computer.com.
  17. ^ "43 Best Math YouTube Channels Ranked by Popularity: #2 Numberphile". youneedchannels.com. November 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "17 Best Math Youtube Channels to Study Mathematics". Abakcus. January 24, 2023.
  19. ^ "The 8th Annual Shorty Award". Alexis Joy. January 19, 2016.
  20. ^ Hale, Mike (April 24, 2012). "Genres Stretch, for Better and Worse, as YouTube Takes On TV". The New York Times
  21. ^ Usborne, Simon (31 October 2014). "Stand-up and Be Counted". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  22. ^ Fry, Hannah (December 8, 2019). "Teach children to fall in love with maths and they can count on it for life". The Sunday Times.
  23. ^ Stokel-Walker, Chris (20 February 2019). "YouTube science videos: The channels you should subscribe to". New Scientist. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Brady Haran wins the 2024 Christopher Zeeman Medal". London Mathematical Society. London Mathematical Society. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  25. ^ Guest speakers on Numberphile MSRI
  26. ^ Haran, Brady (6 July 2018). "All in Federico Ardila". Numberphile
  27. ^ "Johnny Ball – Russian Multiplication – Numberphile". YouTube. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  28. ^ "42 is the new 33 – Numberphile". YouTube. 12 March 2019.
  29. ^ Qureshi, Zainab (4 May 2020). ""Numberphile" sponsors mathematics professor". The Daily Illini. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Hasse Principle – Numberphile". YouTube. 1 June 2016.
  31. ^ Haran, Brady. "Tom Crawford on Numberphile". YouTube
  32. ^ Haran, Brady. "Zsuzsanna Dancso on Numberphile". YouTube
  33. ^ Guardian Staff (4 December 2021). "From a Sex and the City sequel to Halo Infinite: a complete guide to this week's entertainment". the Guardian
  34. ^ Haran, Brady. "Ron Graham on Numberphile". YouTube
  35. ^ Haran, Brady. "James Grime on Numberphile". YouTube
  36. ^ Haran, Brady (3 June 2019). "All in Edmund Harriss". Numberphile
  37. ^ Haran, Brady. "Gordon Hamilton on Numberphile". YouTube
  38. ^ "Statistics, Storks, and Babies – Numberphile". YouTube. 25 August 2020.
  39. ^ Lamb, Evelyn. "Holly Krieger's Favorite Theorem". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  40. ^ "Primes without a 7 – Numberphile". YouTube. 20 November 2019.
  41. ^ "Little Fibs – Numberphile". YouTube. 2 June 2016.
  42. ^ Haran, Brady (19 December 2022). "All in Tony Padilla". Numberphile
  43. ^ Haran, Brady. "Simon Pampena on Numberphile". YouTube
  44. ^ "Why Did The Mathematician Cross The Road? – with Roger Penrose". YouTube. 8 August 2020.
  45. ^ "210 is VERY Goldbachy – Numberphile". YouTube. 28 May 2017.
  46. ^ Haran, Brady. "Henry Segerman on Numberphile". YouTube
  47. ^ "Mobius Bridges and Buildings – Numberphile". YouTube. 9 April 2014.
  48. ^ "Billionaire Mathematician – Numberphile". YouTube. 13 May 2015.
  49. ^ Haran, Brady. "Neil Sloane on Numberphile". YouTube
  50. ^ Haran, Brady. "Ben Sparks on Numberphile". YouTube
  51. ^ Haran, Brady. "Katie Steckles on Numberphile". YouTube
  52. ^ "The World's Best Mathematician (*) – Numberphile". YouTube. 14 March 2017.
  53. ^ "Stable Rollers – Numberphile". YouTube. 6 March 2017.
  54. ^ "The Shape of DNA – Numberphile". YouTube. 26 October 2015.
  55. ^ Haran, Brady. "Cedric Villani on Numberphile". YouTube. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  56. ^ "Card Flipping Proof – Numberphile". YouTube. 3 February 2019.
  57. ^ Haran, Brady (17 November 2019). "Grant Sanderson on Numberphile". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  58. ^ Haran, Brady (27 October 2021). "Ayliean MacDonald on Numberphile". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  59. ^ Haran, Brady (24 August 2021). "Matt Henderson on Numberphile". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  60. ^ Haran, Brady (11 November 2018). "The Numberphile Podcast". Brady Haran. Retrieved 10 September 2019.