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How Many Pikachus Would It Take to Power a Lightbulb?

The surprising real-world maths behind fantasy worlds from Pokémon to Star Wars and Harry Potter

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How Many Pikachus Would It Take to Power a Lightbulb?

By: Dr Thomas Crawford
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How many daily calories would you need to feed a Charizard?

Could the Death Star's laser actually blow up a planet?

What is the half-life of the Incredible Hulk?

And is the meaning of life really ‘42’?

Join Dr Tom Crawford on a tour through the real-world maths of the most absurd fantasy universes. Drawing on a decade's research at some of the world's leading universities, he answers all the most bamboozling maths questions raised by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars and more: from calculating Frodo Baggins' life insurance premium for his journey to Mordor, to what it would take to make the Weasley family car fly, to how rich Super Mario would be after he'd gobbled up all those coins. The result is both a dizzying compendium of fantastical ‘did you know?’ facts and a guide to the mathematics of life, the universe and everything.

© Thomas Crawford 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Corporate & Public Finance Economics Macroeconomics Microeconomics
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Critic reviews

Bonkers, but in a brilliant way. Tom Crawford has taken the Venn diagram of all the things he’s passionate about, and the intersection is this fun journey through imaginary worlds via his clever mathematical perspective.
A hugely entertaining book that turns some of the most improbable questions posed by fantasy worlds into genuine mathematical adventures. It is as educational as it is playful: I loved it.
This book is (mathematical) proof that math can, in fact, be fun, because Dr Tom Crawford makes it so. Whereas most books introduce math so that you can eventually solve real-world problems, Tom's book introduces real-world (well, Super Mario World) problems that you can start solving today. They just so happen to need math, but Tom will teach you all that you need know along the way. Gotta catch ’em all.
Tom Crawford is brilliant, and now he offers mathematical answers to the ridiculous questions you never thought to ask.
Dr Tom Crawford is the maths teacher we all wish we’d had. The man who can find an equation lurking inside a Pokédex, a Horcrux or the blast radius of the Death Star . . . This is a brilliant tour through the maths hiding in the imaginary worlds we love, proving that numbers can make even the most fantastical stories even more fascinating. I’m already tapping my fingers and waiting for the sequel.
Have you ever wondered which Quidditch broomstick is the most aerodynamic or what were Frodo’s chances of surviving his journey? In this delightful book, these and other similarly whimsical questions are taken seriously, gently leading the reader to increasingly sophisticated mathematical concepts. If you ever thought that maths is dry and incomprehensible, this will make you reconsider!
A mathematical romp through your favourite fantasy worlds. Tom tackles the questions you never knew you needed answering using the maths you never realised you needed to know.
I loathe fantasy, and even I can’t help admiring this book.
For those with a curious mind and a love of fantasy: Tom Crawford's wit and patience will seduce you to discover a surprising variety of fundamental mathematical principles.
An absolutely splendiferous voyage through our favourite imaginary worlds, powered by some surprisingly sophisticated mathematics. You’ll love it, and you'll learn something. I did.
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