Dr Tom Crawford
@tomrocksmaths.bsky.social
Mathematician at Oxford and Cambridge. 225,000 on YouTube. Numberphile. Tom Rocks Maths. Countdown.
The 2nd most popular page on Tom Rocks Maths in 2025 is... Interns! I love working with students to produce maths communication material and the Micro-internship Programme at Oxford is the perfect setup. 1 week to learn the ropes and produce content. Top posts here:
tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
December 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The 2nd most popular page on Tom Rocks Maths in 2025 is... Interns! I love working with students to produce maths communication material and the Micro-internship Programme at Oxford is the perfect setup. 1 week to learn the ropes and produce content. Top posts here:
tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
The 3rd most popular on Tom Rocks Maths in 2025 is... Tattoos. I've posted short explanations of 66 of them so far, with at least that many more to come.
Check out the gallery for yourself here: tomrocksmaths.com/tattoos/
Check out the gallery for yourself here: tomrocksmaths.com/tattoos/
December 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The 3rd most popular on Tom Rocks Maths in 2025 is... Tattoos. I've posted short explanations of 66 of them so far, with at least that many more to come.
Check out the gallery for yourself here: tomrocksmaths.com/tattoos/
Check out the gallery for yourself here: tomrocksmaths.com/tattoos/
The 4th most popular Tom Rocks Maths post in 2025 is... Countdown!
Possibly the most ridiculous/incredible thing that has ever happened to me, and one of your favourites from 2025. I spent 3 weeks covering for Rachel Riley as the resident mathematician and I loved every second <3
Possibly the most ridiculous/incredible thing that has ever happened to me, and one of your favourites from 2025. I spent 3 weeks covering for Rachel Riley as the resident mathematician and I loved every second <3
December 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The 4th most popular Tom Rocks Maths post in 2025 is... Countdown!
Possibly the most ridiculous/incredible thing that has ever happened to me, and one of your favourites from 2025. I spent 3 weeks covering for Rachel Riley as the resident mathematician and I loved every second <3
Possibly the most ridiculous/incredible thing that has ever happened to me, and one of your favourites from 2025. I spent 3 weeks covering for Rachel Riley as the resident mathematician and I loved every second <3
The countdown of the top posts from 2025 begins with #5 - Robinson College Cambridge.
From announcing my fellowship, to recording a mock admissions interview, you've been enjoying seeing me in the 'other place' over the past 12 months!
Find them here: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
From announcing my fellowship, to recording a mock admissions interview, you've been enjoying seeing me in the 'other place' over the past 12 months!
Find them here: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
December 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The countdown of the top posts from 2025 begins with #5 - Robinson College Cambridge.
From announcing my fellowship, to recording a mock admissions interview, you've been enjoying seeing me in the 'other place' over the past 12 months!
Find them here: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
From announcing my fellowship, to recording a mock admissions interview, you've been enjoying seeing me in the 'other place' over the past 12 months!
Find them here: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/26/2...
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the wonderful Maths Fans around the world!!
Here's a fun mathematical puzzle to think about whilst you wait for Santa - how many legs are mentioned in the song the 12 days of Christmas (the "partridge in a pear tree" one)?
Watch below for my answer :)
Here's a fun mathematical puzzle to think about whilst you wait for Santa - how many legs are mentioned in the song the 12 days of Christmas (the "partridge in a pear tree" one)?
Watch below for my answer :)
How Many Legs Are In The 12 Days Of Christmas Song?
YouTube video by Tom Rocks Maths
www.youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the wonderful Maths Fans around the world!!
Here's a fun mathematical puzzle to think about whilst you wait for Santa - how many legs are mentioned in the song the 12 days of Christmas (the "partridge in a pear tree" one)?
Watch below for my answer :)
Here's a fun mathematical puzzle to think about whilst you wait for Santa - how many legs are mentioned in the song the 12 days of Christmas (the "partridge in a pear tree" one)?
Watch below for my answer :)
YouTube wrapped 2025. Thank you to all of you wonderful people for continuing to support maths education on social media. Here's to the next 3,209 days :)
December 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
YouTube wrapped 2025. Thank you to all of you wonderful people for continuing to support maths education on social media. Here's to the next 3,209 days :)
Exploring theatres - amphi or otherwise - in Carthage. The semi-circular shape and combination of the hard stone with strategically placed curtains and canvases provided the perfect acoustics so actors could be heard across the audience. Mathematical planning from 2000 years ago - incredible.
December 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Exploring theatres - amphi or otherwise - in Carthage. The semi-circular shape and combination of the hard stone with strategically placed curtains and canvases provided the perfect acoustics so actors could be heard across the audience. Mathematical planning from 2000 years ago - incredible.
NEW VIDEO: I have fun applying some mathematical analysis to my performance on Mini Cogs - play the game yourself for free here: cogs.gg?WT.mc_id=tmg...
Maths of Mini Cogs
YouTube video by Tom Rocks Maths
youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
NEW VIDEO: I have fun applying some mathematical analysis to my performance on Mini Cogs - play the game yourself for free here: cogs.gg?WT.mc_id=tmg...
Tunis Medina - a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. Following on from Dido’s Isoperimetric Problem yesterday, given the Medina is approximately semi-circular, and the distance across is ~1.1km, how long would Dido’s rope need to be to surround it?
December 20, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Tunis Medina - a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. Following on from Dido’s Isoperimetric Problem yesterday, given the Medina is approximately semi-circular, and the distance across is ~1.1km, how long would Dido’s rope need to be to surround it?
Visiting the home of Dido’s Isoperimetric Problem in Carthage, Tunisia. Given a piece of rope of fixed length, what shape should it be to maximise the area contained?
Legend has it this is why the ancient city of Carthage was a circle. Love teaching this in the Calculus of Variations course :)
Legend has it this is why the ancient city of Carthage was a circle. Love teaching this in the Calculus of Variations course :)
December 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Visiting the home of Dido’s Isoperimetric Problem in Carthage, Tunisia. Given a piece of rope of fixed length, what shape should it be to maximise the area contained?
Legend has it this is why the ancient city of Carthage was a circle. Love teaching this in the Calculus of Variations course :)
Legend has it this is why the ancient city of Carthage was a circle. Love teaching this in the Calculus of Variations course :)
Tattoo #66 - Volcano Badge (fresh vs healed). Awarded for defeating the leader of the 7th Kanto gym Blaine. Dude loves his fire Pokémon…
December 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Tattoo #66 - Volcano Badge (fresh vs healed). Awarded for defeating the leader of the 7th Kanto gym Blaine. Dude loves his fire Pokémon…
Meet your Oxford University maths interviewers this week (including the CS50 duck). Good luck to everyone taking part in the admissions process and remember to enjoy it as much as you can :)
Swipe to see an example maths interview question - would you get in?
Swipe to see an example maths interview question - would you get in?
December 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Meet your Oxford University maths interviewers this week (including the CS50 duck). Good luck to everyone taking part in the admissions process and remember to enjoy it as much as you can :)
Swipe to see an example maths interview question - would you get in?
Swipe to see an example maths interview question - would you get in?
The closest vote so far in Numbers versus Words, but 2592 = 2^5 * 9^2 sneaks it as the only 4-digit number with the Dudeney property, despite a lot of appreciation for the existence of Uhtcearu as a word to describe pre-dawn anxiety...
Look out for Round 14 later this week :)
Look out for Round 14 later this week :)
December 15, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The closest vote so far in Numbers versus Words, but 2592 = 2^5 * 9^2 sneaks it as the only 4-digit number with the Dudeney property, despite a lot of appreciation for the existence of Uhtcearu as a word to describe pre-dawn anxiety...
Look out for Round 14 later this week :)
Look out for Round 14 later this week :)
Aston Martin F1 End of Season Party 2025- happy holidays to maths fans everywhere :)
December 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Aston Martin F1 End of Season Party 2025- happy holidays to maths fans everywhere :)
One of my favourite events of the year at Maths in Action London - almost 1000 A-level students and I got to sign an actual game boy and a Blastoise Pokémon card. What dreams are made of <3
December 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
One of my favourite events of the year at Maths in Action London - almost 1000 A-level students and I got to sign an actual game boy and a Blastoise Pokémon card. What dreams are made of <3
Meet your maths interviewers @robinsoncollege.bsky.social for 2026 entry at Cambridge University. Best of luck to anyone going through the admissions process - we’re all rooting for you!!
Swipe to the second photo to see an example interview question I used a few years ago… can you solve it?
Swipe to the second photo to see an example interview question I used a few years ago… can you solve it?
December 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Meet your maths interviewers @robinsoncollege.bsky.social for 2026 entry at Cambridge University. Best of luck to anyone going through the admissions process - we’re all rooting for you!!
Swipe to the second photo to see an example interview question I used a few years ago… can you solve it?
Swipe to the second photo to see an example interview question I used a few years ago… can you solve it?
Happy GCHQ Christmas Puzzle Day!! Swipe to see close-ups of the puzzle questions and information on where to find the solutions - let’s go maths fans :)
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Happy GCHQ Christmas Puzzle Day!! Swipe to see close-ups of the puzzle questions and information on where to find the solutions - let’s go maths fans :)
Thanks for coming out Cambridge - we had a blast!!
Great audience, great speakers and even greater maths. Hope to see even more of you at the upcoming Maths Inspiration shows in the spring :)
Great audience, great speakers and even greater maths. Hope to see even more of you at the upcoming Maths Inspiration shows in the spring :)
December 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Thanks for coming out Cambridge - we had a blast!!
Great audience, great speakers and even greater maths. Hope to see even more of you at the upcoming Maths Inspiration shows in the spring :)
Great audience, great speakers and even greater maths. Hope to see even more of you at the upcoming Maths Inspiration shows in the spring :)
NEW VIDEO: Birthdays on Pluto. A great extension to the original Numberphile video on the Birthday Paradox - what happens if we are on Pluto?
A 3rd new video in 3 days for you lucky maths fans :)
A 3rd new video in 3 days for you lucky maths fans :)
Birthdays on Pluto (extra footage) - Numberphile
YouTube video by Numberphile2
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW VIDEO: Birthdays on Pluto. A great extension to the original Numberphile video on the Birthday Paradox - what happens if we are on Pluto?
A 3rd new video in 3 days for you lucky maths fans :)
A 3rd new video in 3 days for you lucky maths fans :)
NEW VIDEO: The Future of AI Research with David Silver (2019 ACM Prize)
David explains how AI learns, and what it means for future developments in the field. Premieres today at 18:00 (GMT) - see you in the live chat!
David explains how AI learns, and what it means for future developments in the field. Premieres today at 18:00 (GMT) - see you in the live chat!
How AI Learns: A Deep Conversation with David Silver (2019 ACM Prize)
YouTube video by Tom Rocks Maths
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
NEW VIDEO: The Future of AI Research with David Silver (2019 ACM Prize)
David explains how AI learns, and what it means for future developments in the field. Premieres today at 18:00 (GMT) - see you in the live chat!
David explains how AI learns, and what it means for future developments in the field. Premieres today at 18:00 (GMT) - see you in the live chat!
NEW VIDEO: A special Numberphile video for a special day - enjoy!
Closer Look at the Birthday Paradox - Numberphile
YouTube video by Numberphile
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
NEW VIDEO: A special Numberphile video for a special day - enjoy!
Congratulations to these brilliant students for completing the Intermediate Calculus course @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social over the past 10 weeks.
If you'd like to join one of my online classes at Oxford University, click the link below to find out more: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/05/o...
If you'd like to join one of my online classes at Oxford University, click the link below to find out more: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/05/o...
December 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Congratulations to these brilliant students for completing the Intermediate Calculus course @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social over the past 10 weeks.
If you'd like to join one of my online classes at Oxford University, click the link below to find out more: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/05/o...
If you'd like to join one of my online classes at Oxford University, click the link below to find out more: tomrocksmaths.com/2025/12/05/o...
Thanks to all 700+ of you for coming to Maths in Action today at Warwick Arts Centre and letting me talk about Pokemon on stage. Pikachu sends hugs :)
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Thanks to all 700+ of you for coming to Maths in Action today at Warwick Arts Centre and letting me talk about Pokemon on stage. Pikachu sends hugs :)
NEW VIDEO: Numbers vs. Words Round 13 - Dudeney's Number versus pre-dawn anxiety.
Which is your favourite - 2595 from Dr Tom or Uhtcearu from Susie Dent? Cast your vote here: forms.gle/pmZDe4wAcm9G...
Which is your favourite - 2595 from Dr Tom or Uhtcearu from Susie Dent? Cast your vote here: forms.gle/pmZDe4wAcm9G...
Numbers vs. Words Round 13: Uhtcearu vs. 2592
YouTube video by Tom Rocks Maths
youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
NEW VIDEO: Numbers vs. Words Round 13 - Dudeney's Number versus pre-dawn anxiety.
Which is your favourite - 2595 from Dr Tom or Uhtcearu from Susie Dent? Cast your vote here: forms.gle/pmZDe4wAcm9G...
Which is your favourite - 2595 from Dr Tom or Uhtcearu from Susie Dent? Cast your vote here: forms.gle/pmZDe4wAcm9G...
What a weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix - Alonso scoring points and Metallica headlining. My mathematical brain was in its element thinking about the aerodynamics of the cars, the mathematical connotations of the championship race, and the beautiful patterns of the guitar riffs. We <3 maths!
December 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
What a weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix - Alonso scoring points and Metallica headlining. My mathematical brain was in its element thinking about the aerodynamics of the cars, the mathematical connotations of the championship race, and the beautiful patterns of the guitar riffs. We <3 maths!