Why Are Cicadas So Good At Math?

↓ More info and sources below ↓

Do periodical cicadas "know" how to calculate prime numbers? One of the strangest life cycles in all of biology, explained!

Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment or check us out at the links below!

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It's Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D
Email me: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com

Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Producer
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics/Animation
Katie Graham - Camera
John Knudsen - Gaffer

Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Other music via APM
Stock images from Shutterstock, stock footage from Videoblocks

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More videos:

[msbluelovespurple]

If cicadas can sleep for 17 years and wake up only to scream than I can do it too damn it.

[ferdinand]

I'm watching this in the bathroom. You got me. I feel violated

[TheOswald]

so if they hide underground for years, how long is their lifespan...?

[sabrcat]

"Hello.
We are searching for highly intelligent individuals."
No wonder these people love this ingenious insect; it's mathematically superb!

[joshuahadams]

Your NINCADA is evolving!
Your NINCADA evolved into NINJASK!
You received a SHEDINJA!

[OMyStuff]

For all those cicadas I have only one thing to say: May the odds be ever in your favor.

[VicodinElmo]

Hahaha! "Pretty much so we can watch videos about cicadas in the bathroom". Which is exactly what I was doing in EXACTLY the same way as you showed in the animation (even the slightly angled orientation of the device on my tiles). That was freaky haha.

[youvanthao]

that moment when u realize that an insect is older than you....BRUH

[gigglysamentz]

2:35 It's about 18 °C if you were wondering. Cuz I was ><

[dougthedonkey]

“And we’re all really excited about the next Star Wars trilogy”
And what a mistake that was

[EugeneKhutoryansky]

Interesting information.  Thanks for the video, and good luck to the cicadas.

[bondedomao]

2:10 I AM LITERALLY WATCHING THIS VIDEO ON THE BATHROOM. LOL. Thanks for letting the cicadas know!!!

[aggersoul]

Never thought Id have an answer to such an important question.

[SteampunkBard]

I never expected a video about cicadas to become one of my favorite videos ever

[UniqueliAnimationsSN]

I was on the washroom when the guy said "so we could watch youtube videos about cicadas" lmao

[pravishal]

When I first saw the title, I sincerely believed it was going to be about the Cicada 1331, and their maths puzzles!! :D

[SpkyKng]

*shouts out the window at the cicadas screaming outside at 3AM* THAT SHOULD BE ME SCREAMING! ME!

[PabloCorinthian]

What will happen when Joe meets with his clone, Hank Green? Or rather, Hank Green's clone Joe Hanson?

Wait.... if Joe is a PhD and Hank is just a Master... does that mean Hank is the clone?!

Pls do a video on this conundrum. If Wheezy Waiter is involved, it would be best.

[fackingpos]

I'm still wondering why in every movie where the protagonist is in a hot desert and the camera pans down from the Sun they use the sound of cicadas to emphasize the Sun beating down on the protagonist

[UniverseEarthSpirit]

My favorite insect! I love cicadas.Their place in the natural world is freakin' amazing! AND you mention Steven J. Gould!!! A blast from my educational past in biology! Loved this!