It was released as a digital download on 26 March 2007 and on CD and 7" vinyl on 9 April 2007.
"Mathematics" acquired the title "song of the week" on BBC Radio 2 in early 2007, and Zane Lowe of BBC Radio 1 declared the song "the hottest record in the world" in February 2007.
The song's inspiration likely stemmed from songwriter Simon Aldred's Bachelor's degree in Pure Mathematics from the University of Leeds.
The first, a self-produced video featuring a man in a bird costume, was posted in late 2006.
The second, featuring Simon Aldred's family home movies, appeared on Heavenly Records' website in early 2008.