The
Numberphile YouTube channel was started on 15 September 2011. Most videos consist of Haran interviewing an expert on a number,
mathematical theorem or other mathematical concept. The expert usually draws out their explanation on a large piece of
brown paper and attempts to make the concepts understandable to the average, non-mathematician viewer. It is supported by the
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and
Math for America. Haran also runs the "Numberphile2" channel, which includes extra footage and further detail than the main channel.
Reception Numberphile consistently rates among the top YouTube channels in math and education. The channel was nominated for a
Shorty Award in Education in 2016.
The New York Times said that, "at Numberphile, mathematicians discourse, enthusiastically and winningly, on numbers", and
The Independent described the channel as "insanely popular".
The Sunday Times said, "The mathematical stars of social media, such as James Grime and Matt Parker, entertain legions of fans with striking videos demonstrating how powerful and playful maths can be."
New Scientist listed Numberphile as one of the top ten science channels on YouTube in 2019. In 2024, Brady Haran was awarded the
Christopher Zeeman Medal recognising excellence in the communication of mathematics for his work, including
Numberphile.
Contributors The Numberphile channel has hosted a wide array of mathematicians, computer scientists, scientists and
science writers, including: •
Federico Ardila •
Johnny Ball •
Alex Bellos • Steven Bradlow •
Timothy Browning •
Brian Butterworth • Zsuzsanna Dancso •
Persi Diaconis •
Rob Eastaway • James Grime •
Edmund Harriss • Gordon Hamilton •
Tim Harford •
Don Knuth •
James Maynard •
Barry Mazur •
Tony Padilla • Simon Pampena •
Matt Parker •
Carl Pomerance •
Ken Ribet •
Carlo H. Séquin •
Jim Simons •
Simon Singh • Ben Sparks • Katie Steckles •
Zvezdelina Stankova •
Tadashi Tokieda •
Mariel Vázquez •
Cédric Villani • Zandra Vinegar •
Grant Sanderson • Ayliean MacDonald • Matt Henderson • Sophie Maclean • Simon Anthony • Jared Duker Lichtman • Isabel Vogt ==
The Numberphile Podcast==