Group theory, abstraction, and the 196,883-dimensional monster

3Blue1Brown · 3.8M views · 2020-08-19 · 21:58

Open on YouTube ↗

If playback is restricted in your region, try opening the original video. Use Mark watched to add it to your marked videos.

Overview

3Blue1Brown introduces group theory and abstract groups, then builds toward classification of finite simple groups and the enormous Monster group with its 196,883 dimensions.

On Hacker News

Mentioned as a favorite 3Blue1Brown video and a related watch in threads about deep mathematical structure.

Recommended by 1 HN people across 1 months · HN mentions 2021–2023

Topics

Pure mathematics Recreational & visual math

What people said

bb88 · 2023-12 · Strong recommendation
3b1b uses a python library for creating those videos. [LINK] As far as a math educator/communicator, one of my favorite videos of his is the video on the monster. [VIDEO] Also since we're talking about powerpoint here you should probably see this Matt Parker video about excel being used in ways it shouldn't maybe? [LINK]
Read the original HN comment ↗

Laremere · 2023-06 · Reference
See also: The monster: [VIDEO] Ideal packing of squares (some are elegant, 17 is not) [LINK] The 4 color theorem was solved by reducing it down to 633 cases and just using a computer to find a coloring for each case: [LINK]
Read the original HN comment ↗

teekert · 2021-07 · Reference
As a noob I'd say this also falls into that category: [0]. Who knows, if enough people ask about it on his reddit (topic requests) :) : [1] [0] [VIDEO] [1] [LINK]
Read the original HN comment ↗

Sources

Video by 3Blue1Brown, played through YouTube.

HN Library · Source license

Data and selection notes

HN summaries and labels may contain AI errors. HN dates refer to discussions, not video publication.

HN Library: HackerTube export (2026-10-31) and open-index/hacker-news. Upstream summaries and classifications may contain AI errors.

Views, duration and playback status refresh separately from the published catalog. When an update fails, existing data remains visible.

Selection checks

SaaS & AI candidates: Topic keywords do not match
Editor-approved picks: Editorial review is required

Rule matches identify candidates. They do not guarantee video quality or financial results.

About the library and its sources