Math conundrums explained

How does the Google search ranking system work? Can mathematics explain the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day? A new web series of 'The Algebra of Everything' will explore these questions and more.

A new web series by mathematician Dr Marcel Jackson will explore different concepts and conundrums of algebra. The first series was watched by a web audience of more than 160,000 viewers.

"This series is for those who love algebra, as well as those who don't. I'm hopeful all might be interested in some totally fresh interpretations about what "algebra" might be," says Dr Jackson. "The goal of these videos is to give some brief, low-level snippets of modern abstract algebra in its many varied forms."

The first series made its debut on iTunes U and YouTube in 2010. Since then it has been popular with general public and academics alike, and received a large amount of positive feedback.

"I have been delighted by the fact that the first series of  The Algebra of Everything has been seen by so many," says Dr Jackson. " It's rewarding to get good feedback, because as an algebraist, it's sometimes pretty tough to explain what I do and love!"

In addition to Google ranking and Groundhog Day, the eight new videos will look at concepts like voting, container stacking, logic, websurfing and reasoning in time and space.

They will be released weekly, every Thursday, beginning on January 31st.