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Check out this list of TV series and movies that involve mathematics.

We've never needed to spend as much time connected as in 2020. Working, studying, shopping, or even meeting friends. Practically everything has moved online , in front of the computer or on our cell phones. Relaxing at the end of the year will be no different: we'll also be relying on connected screens. If you usually lose hours browsing streaming catalogs , don't worry! We've put together a list of 7 recommended series and films about mathematics, science, and technology available on digital platforms. Check it out!

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The Social Dilemma 

You may not have watched the documentary, but you've certainly heard of it. "The Social Dilemma" premiered in February at a festival in the United States, but came into the spotlight months later after being added to Netflix , precisely when we found ourselves more connected than ever amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Featuring testimonies from former executives of major Silicon Valley companies and academics, the film addresses addiction and the negative impacts of social media on individuals and communities, affected by strategies developed to manipulate emotions and keep users increasingly connected.

Person of Interest

Originally aired between 2011 and 2016, the series gained momentum after arriving on streaming this year. And it's an excellent choice for lovers of artificial intelligence. The story is about John Reese, a supposedly dead former CIA agent, who teams up with a mysterious billionaire to predict violent crimes. Reese uses his vast knowledge of covert operations, while his ally, a software genius, develops a program called "The Machine," capable of identifying people who will be involved in crimes. The series is available on Globoplay .

Queen's Gambit

Mix a little logic, reasoning, strategy and… checkmate! The hit Netflix series that sparked a surge in Google searches for information about chess is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The board, the arrangement of the pieces, statistical processes: there are many references to the mathematical universe in "The Queen's Gambit". Set in the 1950s, the plot tells the story of orphan Beth Harmon, who struggles with addiction to become the world's number 1 chess player. The story also shows the challenges the young woman faces to enter the world of chess, which until then was practically a male domain.

Explaining

How far does your curiosity go? If you're one of those people who can't stop thinking about questions ranging from the origin of pirates and possible future pandemics to, why not, how the financial market works, this series is for you. The Netflix series "Explained," as the title suggests, is divided into two seasons dedicated to those who want to understand a little bit of everything, from someone who understands the subject. For math fans, our little spoiler: it's worth jumping straight to episodes 13, 14, and 16 of the first season, and then continuing with episodes four and six of the following season. Happy binge-watching!

Cube Wizards

The documentary shows the friendship between Australian Feliks Zemdegs and American Max Park in their race against the clock. What do they have in common? Both are speedcubing champions , a sport in which children and teenagers try to race against time to solve a Rubik's Cube. The practice involves calculation, strategy, speed, and even algorithms—more precisely, 300 of them—to move the pieces from one face of the cube to another.

The Age of Data: The Science Behind It All

Everything is much more interconnected than we can imagine. And in the Netflix series, science journalist Latif Nasser shows us the way to investigate. In six episodes, Nasser reveals that the clouds in the sky are connected to the clouds that store our data, and that there's a mathematical law that influences our choice of favorite music, among other interesting facts.

Mystery World

The Netflix series aims to simplify science and provide solutions to mysteries like the Bermuda Triangle, as well as questions about the possibilities of time travel. Presented by Felipe Castanhari, the episodes seek to show how a future with super artificial intelligence might work.

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