Watch episode two of our Infinity series here: https://youtu.be/jZTmMd5p0fg Is infinity actually a real number, or just a brilliant mathematical hallucination? Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens (VSauce) tumble down the numerical rabbit hole to explore the mind-bending origins of infinity. They unpick exactly how humanity managed to trap the endless void. From ancient paradoxes to endless hotel rooms, they dive into the bizarre history of our universe's most impossible idea. ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/our-research/rest-is-science?utm_source=therestisscience&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=goalhanger_podcast_partnership Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Video Editors: Adam Thornton + Oli Oakley Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell Animations: Sam Benson Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Researcher: Lucy Lipscombe Producer: Simona Rata Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley Exec Producer: Neil Fearn ------------------- 00:00 Intro 02:05 Cancer Research UK 03:23 What is infinity? 05:15 Hilbert’s Hotel 10:45 The origin of the infinity symbol 13:50 Math with Roman Numerals 16:10 The Ancient Greeks’ inkling about infinity 16:53 Pythagoras’ fear of beans 26:49 Project Hail Mary 28:02 Calculus 33:00 Big baby Isaac Newton vs Leibniz 37:50 Mean Girls prequel? 40:43 Cancer Research UK 45:37 Infinity can’t end but a sequence can 54:15 Will the ant ever reach the end of the elastic band? 55:38 What we’ll cover in Infinity Part 2 next week 56:48 Outro