TED Radio Hour

Solve For X

TED Radio Hour

Math intimidates a lot of us, but it can deliver surprising answers to life's most pressing questions. In this episode, TED speakers discuss the elegant simplicity, and giddy complexity, of solving for X. Writer Randall Munroe doesn't love math, but has made a career out of solving equations. By answering outlandish hypotheticals, he uses numbers as a playground for the imagination. Polymath Terry Moore wondered why "X" is the universal unknown in Algebra. He dove into the history of numbers to come up with an unexpected answer. Percussionist Clayton Cameron dissects the mathematics of improvisational jazz, discovering how numerical patterns make him a better musician. Entrepreneur and artist Kevin Slavin shows how algorithms can reshape finance, culture and physical environments, with potentially harmful consequences. Mathematician Hannah Fry says math can help you find love. Using mathematical models, she explains how to find an ideal mate and the secret to maintaining a healthy relationship.

Next Episodes

TED Radio Hour

Success (R) @ TED Radio Hour

📆 2015-02-27 06:30 / 00:51:52


TED Radio Hour

The Unknown Brain @ TED Radio Hour

📆 2015-02-20 06:30 / 00:51:52


TED Radio Hour

How We Love (R) @ TED Radio Hour

📆 2015-02-13 06:30 / 00:51:50


TED Radio Hour

Seven Deadly Sins @ TED Radio Hour

📆 2015-02-06 06:30 / 00:51:56


TED Radio Hour

What We Fear (R) @ TED Radio Hour

📆 2015-01-30 06:30 / 00:51:55