Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Oxford University Mathematician Dr Tom Crawford answers viewers questions to celebrate reaching 200,000 subscribers. 146 questions are answered in total, which is 1 question per 1370 subscribers.
Full list of questions below.
0:57 In your opinion what is the wildest coolest idea in abstract maths and why?
6:27 Can you give me any tips or guides on how to achieve your same dream?
14:03 What would you advise a high school student studying abstract maths?
15:37 Can you advise if I need to be competitive for my application?
16:53 Why do I learn maths?
17:34 I have a feeling of embarrassment and shame if I don't fully understand maths
20:13 If Aliens want to communicate with us through maths what would be the first equational concept you would show them and why?
21:17 Solve the equation (a^x+1) - (3^x+1) +2?
23:11 How do you choose the colours of your nail polish?
24:12 How can I plan and approach advanced maths?
25:25 When did you realise you were good at maths?
27:49 What do you think holds more value - the intrinsic beauty of mathematics or its beauty being manifested in the physical universe?
29:12 What is your favourite subject after maths?
32:07 What grades do Oxford maths students achieve compared to their offer?
33:14 How much practice do you do to prepare for the PAT exam?
38:06 What is infinite in mathematics?
39:30 What is the difference between pure and applied maths?
41:00 Are you into mathematical philosophy and would you consider content about this?
42:11 Do you have any experience in any other languages other than maths?
43:08 Can anyone do a degree in maths and are there possibilities to do this online?
44:54 Which areas of mathematics are worth pursuing?
46:53 What one change would you make to high school maths?
48:35 What does your bear and swan tattoo signify?
49:34 Why don't we have more prolific and innovative mathematicians in our modern society?
51:36 What career would you have pursued if you weren't a mathematician?
52:48 What is the one maths book that has had the biggest influence on you that is not a textbook?
54:21 Do you think maths should be compulsory in schools up to the age of 18?
56:11 What did you spend your free time doing as a 16-18 year old?
57:30 Would you consider the benefits of ballet for your football training regime?
58:37 What would you prefer? A ham or salami sandwich?
58:48 Why is the sine of an angle equal to opposite over hypotenuse?
1:00:35 What do you imagine your life to be like without maths?
1:01:35 What is the hardest part about maths and how would you deal with this?
1:03:21 Heat transfer - 2 water bottles in a freezer, one standing and one horizontal - which will freeze first?
1:04:38 How did the idea of the naked mathematician start?
1:07:54 Would you consider yourself a maths prodigy?
1:08:40 Would you recommend any books to read to help pass the Oxford entrance/PAT exam?
1:10:20 Why are you so smart?
1:11:05 Is there a Mrs Rocks Maths?
1:11:16 Which is better: Oxford or Cambridge?
Watch the first 69 question in part 1 here: youtu.be/EeU7cTshMRY
Produced by Dr Tom Crawford at the University of Oxford. Tom is Public Engagement Lead at the Oxford University Department of Continuing Education: conted.ox.ac.uk/profiles/tom-crawford
For more maths content check out Tom's website tomrocksmaths.com
You can also follow Tom on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tomrocksmaths.
facebook.com/tomrocksmaths
twitter.com/tomrocksmaths
instagram.com/tomrocksmaths
A HUGE thank you to all of my patrons for their support:
Dr Peet Morris
John Hanson
Rodhern
Denise
Cooper Healy
Hiro
Delicious Rose
Bin Liu
Check out the Tom Rocks Maths Patreon page here: patreon.com/tomrocksmaths
Oxford University Mathematician Dr Tom Crawford answers viewers questions to celebrate reaching 200,000 subscribers. 146 questions are answered in total, which is 1 question per 1370 subscribers.
Full list of questions below.
0:57 In your opinion what is the wildest coolest idea in abstract maths and why?
6:27 Can you give me any tips or guides on how to achieve your same dream?
14:03 What would you advise a high school student studying abstract maths?
15:37 Can you advise if I need to be competitive for my application?
16:53 Why do I learn maths?
17:34 I have a feeling of embarrassment and shame if I don't fully understand maths
20:13 If Aliens want to communicate with us through maths what would be the first equational concept you would show them and why?
21:17 Solve the equation (a^x+1) - (3^x+1) +2?
23:11 How do you choose the colours of your nail polish?
24:12 How can I plan and approach advanced maths?
25:25 When did you realise you were good at maths?
27:49 What do you think holds more value - the intrinsic beauty of mathematics or its beauty being manifested in the physical universe?
29:12 What is your favourite subject after maths?
32:07 What grades do Oxford maths students achieve compared to their offer?
33:14 How much practice do you do to prepare for the PAT exam?
38:06 What is infinite in mathematics?
39:30 What is the difference between pure and applied maths?
41:00 Are you into mathematical philosophy and would you consider content about this?
42:11 Do you have any experience in any other languages other than maths?
43:08 Can anyone do a degree in maths and are there possibilities to do this online?
44:54 Which areas of mathematics are worth pursuing?
46:53 What one change would you make to high school maths?
48:35 What does your bear and swan tattoo signify?
49:34 Why don't we have more prolific and innovative mathematicians in our modern society?
51:36 What career would you have pursued if you weren't a mathematician?
52:48 What is the one maths book that has had the biggest influence on you that is not a textbook?
54:21 Do you think maths should be compulsory in schools up to the age of 18?
56:11 What did you spend your free time doing as a 16-18 year old?
57:30 Would you consider the benefits of ballet for your football training regime?
58:37 What would you prefer? A ham or salami sandwich?
58:48 Why is the sine of an angle equal to opposite over hypotenuse?
1:00:35 What do you imagine your life to be like without maths?
1:01:35 What is the hardest part about maths and how would you deal with this?
1:03:21 Heat transfer - 2 water bottles in a freezer, one standing and one horizontal - which will freeze first?
1:04:38 How did the idea of the naked mathematician start?
1:07:54 Would you consider yourself a maths prodigy?
1:08:40 Would you recommend any books to read to help pass the Oxford entrance/PAT exam?
1:10:20 Why are you so smart?
1:11:05 Is there a Mrs Rocks Maths?
1:11:16 Which is better: Oxford or Cambridge?
Watch the first 69 question in part 1 here: youtu.be/EeU7cTshMRY
Produced by Dr Tom Crawford at the University of Oxford. Tom is Public Engagement Lead at the Oxford University Department of Continuing Education: conted.ox.ac.uk/profiles/tom-crawford
For more maths content check out Tom's website tomrocksmaths.com
You can also follow Tom on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tomrocksmaths.
facebook.com/tomrocksmaths
twitter.com/tomrocksmaths
instagram.com/tomrocksmaths
A HUGE thank you to all of my patrons for their support:
Dr Peet Morris
John Hanson
Rodhern
Denise
Cooper Healy
Hiro
Delicious Rose
Bin Liu
Check out the Tom Rocks Maths Patreon page here: patreon.com/tomrocksmaths
