The Math Dude Quick and Dirty Tips to Make Math Easier
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
233 TMD How to Draw Perfect Angles
20 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
If you were handed a piece of string and a pencil, could you draw perfect (or nearly perfect) 30 and 60 degree angles? Why might this be a useful skil...
232 TMD Valentine’s Day Math
13 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How many grains of sand are on Earth? How many stars are in the universe? How many atoms does our planet contain? What do these numbers have to do wit...
230 TMD How to Calculate Arc Length
31 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what an arc is? Do you know that an arc has a length? And do you know how to calculate that arc length - or why you might want to? Keep on...
228 TMD 3 Tips for Subtracting Quickly
16 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
When can addition speed up subtraction? What’s the most important trick for lightning quick mental subtraction? And what’s the fastest way to chec...
180 TMD New Year Math Fun Facts
02 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
How many different New Year's Eve countdowns are there around the world? When do astronauts celebrate New Year's? Who celebrates first? And last? Keep...
225 TMD 2 More Tips for Adding Quickly
20 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What does subtraction have to do with lightning quick addition? And how can splitting numbers up into 2 or more smaller numbers make for faster additi...
224 TMD 3 Tips for Adding Quickly
13 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What do speed reading and speedy arithmetic have in common? What’s the fastest way to come up with approximate answers to addition problems? And how...
223 TMD How to Find the Center of a Circle
06 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Ever needed to find the center of a circle? It’s one of those things that seems easy...until you need to figure out how to do it. But rest assured t...
220 TMD Martin Gardner’s Best Math Puzzles (Part 2)
15 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Want to learn a fun number trick? More importantly, want to learn the math behind why it works? Want to know how to figure out the arrangement of six ...
219 TMD Martin Gardner’s Best Math Puzzles (Part 1)
08 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re into math and logic puzzles, you have probably heard of Martin Gardner. And if you’re not into those kinds of puzzles, you should be! Th...
218 TMD What Is a Great Circle?
25 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard of a great circle? How about a small circle? Do the lines of longitude on Earth form great circles? How about the lines of latitud...
217 TMD What Are Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry?
18 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How many degrees are in the angles of a triangle? What’s the shortest distance between two points? Do seemingly parallel lines ever cross? Think you...
215 TMD All About Triangles
04 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What's the difference between equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles? How about obtuse, right, and little acute ones? Keep on listening to find...
214 TMD How to Calculate the Area of a Triangle
27 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What's the area of a triangle? Half its base times its height, right? Indeed, that's the formula. But why? Keep on listening to learn the secret behin...
212 TMD 3 More Tips for Using Google as a Calculator
13 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that you can use Google to convert from miles to kilometers, and a bunch of other things? And did you know that you can use it to quickly...
209 TMD 5 Tips for Understanding Weights and Measures
23 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How much is a fluid ounce? How about a milliliter? Or a gallon? If you don't have an intuitive feel for exactly how much volume these quantities repre...
208 TMD How to Solve the Famous Birthday Problem
16 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What are the chances that two players on the same soccer team share a birthday? How about two students in the same algebra class? Both seem pretty unl...
207 TMD Are Mass and Weight the Same Thing?
09 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Is your mass the same as your weight? If not, what's the relationship between these two ideas? And why do so many people get them confused? Keep on li...
137 TMD How to Multiply and Divide Mixed Fractions
18 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to multiple and divide mixed fractions like a math pro. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
136 TMD How to Add and Subtract Mixed Fractions
18 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to add and subtract mixed fractions like a math pro. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
203 TMD How to Think About Astronomically Large Numbers
21 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How big is the number 1 million? 1 billion? Or 1 million billion? How can you think about these and even larger numbers so that you actually comprehen...
202 TMD World Cup Math
14 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How many teams are playing in the 2014 World Cup? How many countries have ever won it? What are the odds that Brazil, this year's host country and 5-t...
201 TMD How to Prove There Are Infinite Prime Numbers?
07 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What's the biggest prime number? Is it the 17,425,170 digit prime discovered in January 2013? While that may be the largest prime number known today, ...
200 TMD What Is Math, Really?
30 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What is math? Numbers, shapes, logic, stuff like that, right? Sure, but what do all of these things have in common? In other words, what is math...rea...
078 TMD How to Use Math to Land Your Dream Job
23 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Find out why graduating from college isn't an excuse to forget all the math you've learned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
199 TMD How to Prove That 1 = 2?
17 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that 1 = 2? Think that sounds ridiculous? OK, I'll prove it to you. Then I'll show you why this "proof" is indeed, as you suspe...
195 TMD What Is the Famous Monty Hall Problem?
19 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard of the Monty Hall problem? If so, did the world famous brain teaser leave you flummoxed? If not, how does getting flummoxed—and then just...
194 TMD What Physics Recently Discovered About the Big Bang
11 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard about the recent discovery made by scientists in the South Pole. But what was it exactly and what does it mean for us? Math Dude...
192 TMD What Do Sine Functions Look Like?
29 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What does the graph of a sine function look like? And how are sine functions related to the changing number of daylight hours throughout the year? Kee...
191 TMD How Many Minutes of Daylight Do We Gain or Lose Each Day?
22 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How many minutes of daylight does the northern hemisphere gain every day in March? How about in June? What's the astronomical reason for these changes...
189 TMD What Are the Odds of Predicting a Perfect NCAA Tournament Bracket?
08 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What are the odds of winning Warren Buffet's $1 billion prize for picking the perfect 2014 NCAA tournament bracket? Should Mr. Buffet be worried about...
188 TMD 3 Frequently Asked Questions About Modular Arithmetic
01 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
How should you think about subtraction and negative numbers in modular arithmetic? How does the modulo operator work in terms of the order of operatio...
187 TMD What Are the Domain and Range of a Function?
22 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What are the domain and range of a function? What's the vertical line test for functions? And what's the best way to picture the meaning of a function...
186 TMD What Are Functions?
15 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What is y = 3x - 2? An equation? Or maybe a function? Could it possibly be both? Keep on listening to learn all about functions and to find out how th...
185 TMD How to Use Trigonometry to Measure the Height of a Tree
08 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered if sines, cosines, and tangents are actually useful in the real world? If so, wonder no more! Today we're going to learn how th...
184 TMD 3 Super Bowl Fun Facts
01 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Want to amaze your friends at that Super Bowl party you're going to? All you have to do is hit 'em with some Super Bowl math fun facts. Keep on listen...
183 TMD What Are Radians and Degrees?
25 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What's the difference between radians and degrees? Where did these units for measuring angles come from? And how do you convert from one to the other?...
182 - What Are Sine, Cosine, and Tangent?
17 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What do sines, cosines, and tangents have to do with right triangles? And what are the "sin," "cos," and "tan" buttons on your calculator for? Keep on...
181 TMD The World of Trigonometry
11 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard of sine, cosine, and tangent before. But do you actually know what they are? While they sound like complicated ideas, they're re...
178 TMD The Magic of Number 9 (Part 2)
14 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The number 9 is kind of amazing. How amazing? Listen for the exciting conclusion to Math Dude's story about the magical number 9. Hosted on Acast. See...
177 TMD The Magic of Number 9 (Part 1)
07 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever noticed that the number 9 is kind of amazing? What's that…did I hear you say "NO?" Then prepare yourself to be amazed and ke...
176 TMD 3 Frequently Asked Questions About Math Puzzles
29 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Think of a number, add 3, double it, now subtract 4, divide by 2, and finally subtract your original number from the result. You get 1, right? How do ...
175 TMD How to Make a Graph (Part 2)
23 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How do you turn a bunch of data into a super-handy graph? Keep on listening to learn the final 2 steps in my easy 4-step method for making graphs. Hos...
174 TMD How to Make a Graph (Part 1)
16 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What are graphs? When are they useful? And how do you make one? Keep on listening to learn an easy 4-step method for making graphs. Hosted on Acast. S...
108 TMD Is There a Difference Between Odds and Probability?
01 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Grammar Girl joins us to ask two grammar-related math questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
171 TMD How to Calculate with Significant Figures
19 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division work when you're dealing with significant figures? Keep on listening to find out! Hosted on...
170 TMD How to Identify Significant Figures
11 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How many significant figures does the number 1.25 have? What about 1.255? Or 1.250? What's the quick and dirty method that you can use to find out? Ke...
169 TMD What Are Significant Figures?
04 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what significant figures are? Or why they matter? And what do significant figures have to do with making measurements and calculating thin...
168 TMD 3 Frequently Asked Questions About Percentages
28 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What's the percent increase in a population if it goes from 900 to 981? How can you figure out what 200 is 17% of? Keep on listening to learn the answ...
167 TMD Accuracy Versus Precision
20 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Is there a difference between accuracy and precision? Is one more important than the other? When do the ideas of accuracy and precision show up in the...
166 TMD How to Round Numbers (Part 2)
14 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How do you round a number like pi = 3.14159 to the nearest thousandths place? Normally, the 5 means you round up, right? But are there ever times when...
123 TMD What Is Pascal's Triangle? Part 1
23 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to draw Pascal's triangle and find out what it has to do with the probability of tossing coins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
096 TMD How to Write Small Numbers with Scientific Notation
09 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how scientific notation can be used to make reading and writing small numbers easier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
165 TMD How to Round Numbers (Part 1)
06 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
How do you round an integer like 723 to the nearest ten? How about rounding a decimal number like 3.14159 to the nearest hundredth? Is rounding number...
164 TMD 5 Tips for Faster Mental Division (Part 2)
25 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wished you could divide numbers quickly and easily in your head? Believe it or not, you can! Keep on listening to learn my final 2 tips ...
163 TMD 5 Tips for Faster Mental Division (Part 1)
25 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wished you could divide numbers quickly and easily in your head? Believe it or not, you can! Over the next two weeks, listen and learn m...
161 TMD How to Subtract Quickly
11 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Quick, what’s 212 - 22? If that’s too easy for you, how about something tougher like 212 - 77? Want to learn an easy way to perform lightning fast...
160 TMD How to Square Numbers Quickly
06 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Quick, what’s 25 squared? If that’s too easy for you, how about something tougher like 37 squared? Or 111 squared? Want to learn an easy way to ca...
159 TMD A 4-Step Guide to Solving Equations (Part 2)
28 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to solve equations in four easy steps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
158 TMD A 4-Step Guide to Solving Equations (Part 1)
21 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to solve equations in four easy steps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
157 TMD How To Solve Equations (Part 2)
14 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the golden rule for solving equations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
156 TMD How to Picture the Meaning of Algebra
07 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to picture the meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
155 TMD What Is the Pythagorean Theorem?
31 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what the Pythagorean Theorem is and why it's useful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
154 TMD Why Is Algebra Useful?
24 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn why algebra is useful in daily life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
153 TMD How To Solve Equations (Part 1)
17 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to think about and solve equations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
152 TMD What Are Equations?
10 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what equations are and what they mean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
086 TMD How to Convert Between Fahrenheit and Celsius
03 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to easily convert temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
151 TMD What Are Algebraic Expressions?
26 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to use variables to write algebraic expressions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
150 TMD What Are Variables? (Part 2)
19 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how variables work and how to work with variables. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
149 TMD What Are Variables? (Part 1)
12 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how variables work and how to work with variables. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
148 TMD What Is Algebra?
05 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the secret to understanding algebra. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
147 TMD How Do Computers Add? (Part 3)
29 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how computers and calculators add numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
146 TMD How Do Computers Add? (Part 2)
22 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how computers and calculators add numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
145 TMD How Do Computers Add? (Part 1)
15 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how computers and calculators add numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
097 TMD What is Pi?
08 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what pi is with an arts-and-crafts project and find out why pi is celebrated on March 14. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
144 TMD What Is Boolean Algebra?
01 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how Boolean algebra works and find out why it's important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
143 TMD How to Add Binary Numbers
22 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to add binary numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
142 TMD What Are Binary Numbers? Part 2
15 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to solve a few binary number brain teasers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
141 TMD What Are Binary Numbers? Part 1
08 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what binary numbers are and how to count in binary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
140 TMD How to Add and Subtract Roman Numerals
01 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to add and subtract like an ancient Roman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
139 TMD What Are Roman Numerals?
25 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Learn where Roman numerals came from and find out how to use them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
135 TMD How to Turn Mixed Fractions Into Improper Fractions
28 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to convert between mixed fractions and regular improper fractions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
133 TMD How to Compare Fractions
14 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to compare fractions and figure out which one is largest and smallest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
132 TMD What Is the Lowest Common Denominator?
07 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to find the lowest common denominator of two or more fractions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
131 TMD What Is the Least Common Multiple?
30 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to find the least common multiple of two or more numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
130 TMD How to Find Common Denominators
23 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to find a common denominator of two fractions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
128 TMD How to Factor Numbers
09 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to factor numbers and find prime factors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
126 TMD How to Quickly Add the Integers From 1 to n
19 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to quickly add all the integers from 1 to any number. SPONSOR: Try GotoMeeting with HDFaces Today Free for 30 Days! Hosted on Acast. See aca...
125 TMD How to Quickly Add the Integers From 1 to 100 - Part 1
12 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn to amaze your friends by quickly adding the integers from 1 to 100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
124 TMD What Is Pascal's Triangle? Part 2
05 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn about the amazing patterns hidden within Pascal's triangle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
122 TMD How to Calculate Probabilities, Part 2
21 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to solve last week's brain teaser and use probability trees to calculate probabilities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
121 TMD How to Calculate Probabilities, Part 1
14 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to use probability trees to calculate probabilities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
120 TMD What Are Probability Trees?
07 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what probability trees are and how to make them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
119 TMD What Is Probability?
31 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to understand probability by flipping coins and find out how it affects the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
118 TMD What Are Moving Averages? Part 2
24 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn about some of the different kinds of moving averages that you can use in daily life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
071 TMD How to Amaze Your Friends With Number Tricks
17 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how number tricks work and how you can use them to amaze your friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
117 TMD What Are Moving Averages? Part 1
10 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what moving averages are and when you should use them in your daily life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
116 TMD What Is the Circumference of a Circle?
03 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how the equation for the circumference of a circle is used in the Olympic games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
115 TMD Olympic Math Boot Camp
27 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the math behind the Summer Olympic Games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
113 TMD What is the Higgs Boson Particle? Part 2
13 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what a Higgs boson is and how statistics helped discover it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.