The Final Summer Special: Puzzles, Pop Songs, and Polygons

In the final episode of our summer specials, Jon and Becky wrap up the holidays with a mix of puzzles, pop culture, and polygon talk.

Becky recounts her weekend at the Rubik’s Cube UK Championship, where maths hides in everything from official timing rules to the mysterious “God’s Number.” Jon takes us from the beach (counting grains of sand!) to the history of charity singles, comparing Band Aid’s millions in the 1980s with LadBaby’s record-breaking - yet surprisingly modest - fundraising totals.

We also launch a brand-new feature: Ety-math-ology. Becky digs into the origins of shape names like polygon, rhombus, and diamond, uncovering some surprising stories about the language of geometry and how it can trip us up in the classroom.

It’s been a fun run of summer specials, but from next week the Primary Maths Podcast returns to its usual format: interviews with experts in maths education. Don’t forget to subscribe and share the podcast with a colleague as the new term begins.

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