Podcast Summary: Más de uno – El reto matemático: ¿Qué es la continuidad?

Host: OndaCero (Carlos Alsina)
Guest: Santi García Cremades
Date: February 19, 2026

Overview

In this episode of “Más de uno”, Santi García Cremades returns with his signature blend of mathematics, storytelling, and humor. The main theme delves into the concept of continuity, bridging mathematical theory with daily anecdotes and interactive audience challenges. The episode opens with a listener’s solution to the previous math challenge (about license plate numbers) and seamlessly transitions into a humorous tale from Santi’s university days—a perfect excuse to introduce Bolzano’s Theorem and the mathematical essence of continuity. The show culminates with a classic math riddle for listeners, featuring a snail’s struggle up a 10-meter wall.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener’s Correction and Solution to Previous Riddle

• [00:05–01:19]
  • Santi discusses a correction and solution from a listener named Miguel regarding the previous math challenge about a four-digit license plate.
  • Miguel’s Solution: The answer is 5634, meeting all the outlined criteria: “5 x 6 = 30”, “5+4 = 9”, “6+3 = 9”, and being an even number.
  • Santi and crew react with humor and gratitude for Miguel’s engagement.

Notable Quote:

“Qué cansino estás con las matrículas.”
—Miguel ([01:16])

2. Humorous Academic Anecdote: The Elevator and Bolzano’s Theorem

• [01:42–04:18]
  • Santi recalls a viral (pre-social media) incident from his days at the university in Murcia: a joke in the faculty elevator about the elevator skipping the first floor “por el tema de Bolzano”.
  • The joke references the Intermediate Value Theorem (Bolzano’s Theorem): if you go from 0 to 2, you must pass through 1—used here as a foundation to discuss mathematical continuity.
  • Santi connects this story to the topic, highlighting the idea that between two points, there are infinite intermediary points, summarizing the math with philosophical flair.

Notable Quotes:

“Mi facultad no se parece mucho a un hotel, más a un manicomio. Eso sí es un ascensor.”
—Santi García Cremades ([02:15])

“Si tú vas del 0 al 2, hay que pasar por el 1. Si vas de Murcia a Madrid, pasas por Albacete. Son cosas de continuidad.”
—Santi García Cremades ([03:09])

“Entre un punto y otro hay infinitos puntos, incontables de hecho, que unen a esos dos puntos y eso es la continuidad. Es una promesa matemática. Si no hay salto, no hay magia.”
—Santi García Cremades ([03:53])

3. Introducing the Continuity Challenge

• [04:18–04:41]
  • Santi shifts to a new math challenge inspired by the concept of continuity—a classic “snail and the wall” problem:
  • A snail climbs a vertical wall of 10 meters: each day it climbs 4 meters, and each night it slides back 2 meters. Question: How many nights does it take the snail to reach the top?

Notable Quote:

“Algo continuo es, por ejemplo, el camino de un caracol.”
—Santi García Cremades ([04:31])

The Riddle Details

• [04:41–05:33]
  • Echoed and clarified for listeners to ponder:
    • “10 metros de pared, sube 4 por el día, cae 2 durante la noche... ¿Cuántas noches tarda?”

Memorable Moments & Humor

• Playful banter about Miguel’s correction and the ongoing theme of license plates.
• “Esto es humor de matemáticos” – the meta-commentary on math nerd jokes ([02:51]).
• Repeated references to the “pueblo de la jota” and the merging of local humor with math culture.
• Santi’s philosophical yet accessible summary of continuity: “entre un punto y otro hay infinitos puntos, incontables de hecho, que unen a esos dos puntos y eso es la continuidad.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:05] – Listener’s challenge and correction
• [01:11] – Miguel provides the solution
• [01:42] – Santi’s elevator anecdote and the “tema de Bolzano”
• [03:09] – Explanation of continuity via Bolzano’s theorem
• [04:18] – Introduces today’s challenge about the snail
• [05:21] – Hosts clarify the riddle and wrap up the math segment

Tone & Style

The episode excels in blending casual, light-hearted conversation with depth in mathematical explanation. Santi’s storytelling keeps the tone humorous and accessible, even as the discussion tackles foundational mathematical ideas. The interaction between the hosts and the audience (via Miguel’s participation) adds warmth and engagement.

For Listeners:
Whether you love math, enjoy clever jokes, or simply like a good riddle, this episode connects theory with everyday anecdotes while inviting you to puzzle over a classic logic problem.

Closing Challenge Recap:
Climb in the snail’s shell—can you figure out in how many nights it conquers the 10-meter wall, climbing 4 meters by day and slipping 2 meters at night?