We've already had the complex maths of The Simpsons, but now author Simon Singh is back talking to Numberphile to discuss the mathematical depths hidden in creator Matt Groening's other show.
Futurama, which was recently cancelled for a second time, is more proudly 'geeky' than pretty much any other comedy show on television. In the series' imagined 31st century, the prevalence of robots, scientists and wacky new technologies gives the writers ample opportunity to include niche jokes about all things science. Very often these are obvious (if complex), but there's also a range of well hidden jokes for true enthusiasts.
In the video below, Singh picks two 'taxicab' numbers - 1,729 and 87,539,319 - and shows how and why they recur throughout the series as a subtle tribute to mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Singh attributes this to Futurama writer and producer Ken Keeler, who also has a Ph.D. in applied maths.
Check out the Numberphile video, which might just encourage you to look a bit closer at seemingly arbitrary numbers next time you watch an episode of the show:
