Math! Science! History!

By: Gabrielle Birchak
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  • Summary

  • Math! Science! History! is a podcast about the history of people, theories, and discoveries that have moved our scientific progress forward and spurred us on to unimaginable discoveries. Join Gabrielle Birchak for a little math, a little science, and a little history. All in a little bit of time.
    © 2025
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Mathematics Science World
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Episodes
  • FLASHCARDS: Gerrymandering and the Math Behind the Maps

    FLASHCARDS: Gerrymandering and the Math Behind the Maps
    Apr 18 2025
    🔎 Episode Overview In this episode of Math, Science, History, we explore one of the most quietly powerful forces in American democracy: gerrymandering. From its origin over 200 years ago to its impact on today’s elections, gerrymandering is both a political weapon and a mathematical puzzle. We break down the mathematical principles used to detect gerrymandering, explore real court cases in Southern states, and examine how computer science and voter data are used to both draw and fight unfair districts. You’ll also learn how other countries handle redistricting—and what the U.S. can learn from them. Whether you're a math geek, a science lover, or just a concerned citizen, this episode gives you practical tools and knowledge to take action against one of the most manipulative practices in modern politics. ✅ 3 Things You Can Do to Stop Gerrymandering - Support Independent Redistricting Commissions Advocate for fair districting in your state by supporting or starting initiatives to create nonpartisan redistricting commissions. - Use Data Tools to Analyze Your District Explore your voting maps using free tools like Dave’s Redistricting App or PlanScore to see if your district is gerrymandered—and share your findings with your community. - Vote in State and Local Elections Remember, state legislators often control the redistricting process. Voting in state and judicial elections is one of the most powerful ways to influence how future maps are drawn. 📚 Resources to Learn More About Gerrymandering 🧠 Educational & Research-Based Brennan Center for Justice – Redistricting & Gerrymandering In-depth articles, research, and legal updates on redistricting and voting rights. Princeton Gerrymandering Project Offers tools, research, and nonpartisan analysis for creating and evaluating fair district maps. FiveThirtyEight’s Gerrymandering Explainers Data journalism and interactive pieces exploring how gerrymandering affects elections. 🛠️ Tools for Public Use Dave’s Redistricting App A powerful tool for citizens to draw, analyze, and compare congressional and state maps. PlanScore Provides a scoring system to evaluate gerrymandering in district maps based on real election data. 📖 Books Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy by David Daley An investigative look into how gerrymandering has shaped U.S. politics post-2010. Drawing the Lines: Constraints on Partisan Gerrymandering in U.S. Politics by Nicholas R. Seabrook A deeper academic and legal dive into how redistricting works and how it's abused. 🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h 🌍 Let’s Connect! 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ☕ Support the Show If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift 🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Until next time, carpe diem!
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    8 mins
  • REPOST! Zeno’s Paradoxes Explained: Time, Motion & the Quantum Zeno Effect

    REPOST! Zeno’s Paradoxes Explained: Time, Motion & the Quantum Zeno Effect
    Apr 15 2025

    🎧 Episode Overview

    Have you ever felt like you're stuck in time—waiting for change that never comes? In this episode of Math Science History, Gabrielle dives into the fascinating world of Zeno’s Paradoxes, unraveling the ancient Greek puzzles that continue to influence modern science and mathematics. From Achilles and the tortoise to the Quantum Zeno Effect, this episode draws powerful connections between ancient philosophy, motion, and quantum physics.

    Whether you're a student, philosopher, or someone who just loves a good paradox, you’ll walk away from this episode with fresh insights and a whole new appreciation for how math, science, and history are intertwined.

    🧠 What You’ll Learn:

    The logic behind Zeno's paradoxes and how they challenge our understanding of motion, time, and infinity.

    The surprising connection between ancient philosophy and modern quantum physics, specifically through the Quantum Zeno Effect.

    How Zeno's ideas laid a philosophical foundation for calculus, set theory, and even the concept of instantaneous velocity.

    🏛 Links & Resources:

    Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Zeno's Paradoxes
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paradox-zeno/

    Khan Academy – Introduction to Limits (helps with understanding infinite division)
    https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-1/cs1-limits-and-continuity

    Numberphile – Achilles and the Tortoise (Video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7FbM6_4u1I

    More Resources At Mathsciencehistory.Com

    🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
    📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

    🌍 Let’s Connect!

    Website: mathsciencehistory.com
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

    🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

    If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
    🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
    📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
    🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

    ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

    If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:
    💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift

    🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

    🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
    Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

    Until next time, carpe diem!
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    17 mins
  • FLASHCARDS: How Math Can Instantly Improve Your Photography

    FLASHCARDS: How Math Can Instantly Improve Your Photography
    Apr 11 2025
    Welcome to Flashcard Friday on Math Science History! In today’s bite-sized episode, we shift focus, literally and figuratively, onto photography. Whether you're using a smartphone or a professional camera, this quick guide reveals how simple mathematical concepts can dramatically improve your photo compositions. From the rule of thirds to the golden ratio and the exposure triangle, discover how math isn't just behind the lens, it is the lens. Packed with practical tips and examples, this episode shows you how math and creativity go hand in hand when capturing the perfect shot. Three Things You’ll Learn: How to use math-based composition tools like the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and the golden ratio to frame beautiful photographs. The Exposure Triangle explained — how shutter speed, ISO, and aperture work together mathematically to create the perfect lighting and depth. How focal length and depth of field are measured and manipulated using math, helping you control space, distance, and clarity in your photos. 🏛 Links & Resources: Some of the links in the show notes are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast and keeps Math Science History going! Photography Books Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson A foundational guide for mastering shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs by Henry Carroll A visually engaging book with essential tips on composition and style. The Photographer’s Eye by Michael FreemanDeep dive into design, composition, and storytelling through images. The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby Packed with hands-on tips, tricks, and gear suggestions for everyday photographers. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure by Al Judge Easy-to-follow guide for controlling manual settings to capture perfect images. Photography Tools & Accessories UBeesize 50” Extendable Tripod with Bluetooth Remote Lightweight and portable tripod perfect for phones or compact cameras. Neewer 58-In-1 Camera Accessory KitA great starter bundle with lens filters, cleaning tools, and tripod adapters. Aureday Ring Light with Tripod Stand Bright, adjustable lighting perfect for portraits or indoor shoots. ColorChecker Passport Photo 2 by CalibriteProfessional color calibration tool to perfect your tones in post-production. SanDisk Extreme PRO SD Memory Card (128GB) High-speed memory card built for RAW shooting and HD video recording. 🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h 🌍 Let’s Connect! 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ☕ Support the Show If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift 🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Until next time, carpe diem!
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
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