Podcast appearances and mentions of rob eastaway

One thing we all have in common is that we did maths at school. Those of us from the English speaking world most likely also did Shakespeare at school. Do these two things have anything in common? It turns out that they do! Our friend Rob Eastaway, author and Director of the amazing Maths Inspiration project, has written a book called Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare's mathematical life and times. In this episode of Maths on the Move, Rob tells us about some of the many instances of maths appearing in Shakespeare's work. He also tells us about the mathematical climate that Shakespeare lived in. Among other things, it included a mathematical revolution, saw music as a subfield of maths, and gave rise to the word "trivial" so much beloved by mathematicians. The book is out in paperback now.   To find out more about some of the topics mentioned in this episode, see the following links: The fabulous positional system is an article exploring the nature of our number system. Rob's Gresham College lecture explores some of the topics mentioned in this podcast and in his book. Maths Inspiration runs inspiring and interactive maths shows for teenagers. Finally, here are reviews of some of Rob's books: The hidden mathematics of sport (with John Haigh) Maths for mums and dads (with Mike Askew) More maths for mums and dads (with Mike Askew) How long is a piece of string? (with Jeremy Wyndham) Mindbenders and brain teasers (with David Wells) How to take a penalty (with John Haigh) How many socks make a pair?

Shakespeare lived in a period of exciting mathematical innovations, from arithmetic to astronomy, and from probability to music. Remarkably, many of those innovations are mentioned, or at least hinted at, in his plays. Rob Eastaway will explore the surprising ways in which mathematical ideas connect with Shakespeare and reveals that the playwright could be as creative with numbers as he was with words. Along the way you will discover surprising new mathematical insights on the Elizabethan world.This lecture was recorded by Rob Eastaway on 9th October 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London.Rob Eastaway is best known as the author of several bestselling popular maths books, including Why Do Buses Come in Threes? and Maths On the Back of an Envelope. With Mike Askew, he wrote Maths for Mums & Dads, a book that helps parents to understand the new methods being used to teach maths. The American edition was published in 2010 entitled Old Dogs, New Math. Rob has given hundreds of maths talks across the world to audiences of all ages, including several family lectures at the Royal Institution, and he is Director of Maths Inspiration, a programme of interactive lecture shows for teenagers, held in theatres across the UK. From 2019 to 2023 he was the puzzle adviser for New Scientist magazine.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/bshm-25Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todayWebsite:  https://gresham.ac.ukTwitter:  https://twitter.com/greshamcollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show

Throughout his works, Shakespeare references math terminology that goes well beyond the artithmetic education we expect him to have received at grammar school. There's history behind the references that shares not only where Shakespeare would have learned about higher mathematics, but Shakespeare's choices for specific math terms reflect major changes in England for the numerals that were being used to record data, as well as official acts of parliament that were being passed to define and standardize lengths and measures for the very first time. Here today to share with us some of the history behind a few of Shakespeare's mathematical terms is our guest and author of the book Much ADo ABout Numbers, Rob Eastaway.  Get bonus episodes on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AWilliam Shakespeare might well rank as the most influential writer in the English language. But it seems he also had a knack for numbers. Rob Eastaway, author of Much Ado about Numbers, tells Tim Harford about the simple maths that brings Shakespeare's work to life. Presenter: Tim Harford Readings: Stella Harford and Jordan Dunbar Producer: Beth Ashmead-Latham Series producer: Tom Colls Production coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound mix: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

Each year we ask some of our favourite statistically-minded people for their numbers of the year. Here they are - from the population of India to the results of a first division football match. Contributors: Hannah Ritchie, Our World in Data Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Cambridge University Timandra Harkness, writer and comedian Rob Eastaway, maths author Presenter: Charlotte McDonald Series Producer: Tom Colls Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon (Picture: Colourful numbers on blue background Credit: Tanja Ivanova / Getty Images)

#220When you're asleep, you're completely dead to the world, right? Well, it turns out we can actually communicate with people while they're sleeping and even get them to smile or frown on command – at least some of the time., Why this window into the sleeping brain could have important implications for treating people with certain sleep-related health conditions, or even better insights into why and how we dream.In space, scientists have discovered the source of the largest ever recorded marsquake, which rattled the red planet last year. Unlike other quakes on Mars, which does not have plate tectonics to explain seismic events, this one was not the result of an asteroid impact. And the oldest fast radio burst ever detected shocks researchers – a blast with power enough to microwave a bowl of popcorn twice the size of our Sun. What both these events can tell us about unearthly environments.As a record bird flu outbreak continues to devastate bird populations across the globe, we've got a surprising finding about its origins. Unlike previous outbreaks, the virus currently circulating originated in Europe and Africa, not Asia. Why this geographical shift? And how can knowing its origins help prevent future outbreaks?The world's best known particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, is the largest machine on the planet. But it turns out particle accelerators don't need to be so big. Scientists have made a truly miniature accelerator, so small it could fit into a pen tip, which could have hugely practical benefits for medical care. Plus: How to reduce the energy footprint of massive data centres, why hitting ‘snooze' on your alarm clock may not actually be a bad thing and how dung beetles can help us keep track of highly endangered lemurs.And if you want one final chance to win a free copy of Rob Eastaway's Headscratchers, email your guess for this week's puzzle to podcasts@newscientist.com, or send a voice message to hear yourself on the show.Hosts Timothy Revell and Christie Taylor discuss all of this with guests Clare Wilson, Alex Wilkins, Grace Wade and Karmela Padavic-Callaghan. To read more about these stories, visit newscientist.com.Events and Links:newscientist.com/20497 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week it's the maths of puzzles, and how to get wrap your brain around the fact that the answer isn't obvious. Rob Eastaway is my guest- the first returning guest. He has a book out called Headscratchers - a compendium of puzzles from the last five years of the New Scientist. And he's over in Ireland for Mathsweek. (check out mathsweek.ie). And given the weekend that was in it, we really have to do a snippet on the maths of rugby.

#219The most detailed map yet of the human brain has been unveiled. The human brain atlas visualises the brain more precisely than we've ever been able to before. Cell by cell the map can illuminate how the brain is as specialised and organised as it is and how it develops throughout our lifetimes. How has this been achieved and what can we do with this new level of detail?Two distant icy planets have smashed into each other, turning them into a doughnut of vaporised rock orbiting their nearest star. It's the first time we've been able to pinpoint an event like this, and it may reshape our understanding of how star systems evolve.A prominent cryptography expert is warning that one of the United States' top intelligence agencies may be trying to weaken the next generation of encryption. When quantum computers become widespread, modern encryption will be all but useless. But as scientists work to come up with new mathematical techniques to safeguard our online data, one mathematician has claimed the National Security Agency is intentionally watering down proposed new standards for cryptographic algorithms – with potential consequences for everyone's security.Despite being made of solid metal, Earth's inner core is unusually soft and squishy – more like clay or rubber than cast iron. A game of high-pressure musical chairs involving iron atoms may explain it all. Plus: How Neanderthals hunted cave lions, how to make solid roads on our moon and celebrating the winner (and all the runners-up) of Fat Bear Week.And if you want the chance to win a free copy of Rob Eastaway's Headscratchers, email your guess for this week's puzzle to podcasts@newscientist.com, or send a voice message to hear yourself on the show.Hosts Timothy Revell and Christie Taylor discuss all of this with guests Clare Wilson, Jacob Aron, Rob Eastaway, Matthew Sparkes and Karmela Padavic-Callaghan. To read more about these stories, visit newscientist.com.Events and Links:newscientist.com/20497 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#218The 2023 Nobel Prize winners have been announced. Winners of the science prizes include two scientists who helped develop mRNA vaccines, physicists who've managed to generate ultra-short pulses of light to study electrons and chemists who've made unimaginably tiny crystals, called quantum dots. Why all these discoveries have touched our lives – and how one almost didn't happen.We've got some science-based puzzles that'll have you scratching your head… Rob Eastaway, the man behind New Scientist's Headscratcher puzzle column, has helped author a new book of brain teasers, aptly named ‘Headscratchers'. To celebrate its launch, Rob shares a tricky clock-based puzzle to try your hand at – plus a chance to win a free copy of the book.From SpaceX to Amazon to OneWeb, the race is on to launch thousands of satellites into space, capable of providing internet access to almost anywhere in the world. But at what cost to the environment? The first study comparing the carbon footprint of these satellites is out now.Plus: How electrons from Earth may be influencing the creation of water on the moon, why chicken hatcheries in Europe are starting to sex-test unhatched chicks and why hippopotamuses are so bad at chewing their food.And a plug for our favourite feast of the year: Fat Bear Week. Hosts Timothy Revell and Christie Taylor discuss all of this with guests Clare Wilson, Alex Wilkins, Rob Eastaway, Jeremy Hsu and Corryn Wetzel. To read more about these stories, visit newscientist.com.Events and Links:The Royal Institution's exciting autumn season of public science talks is on. To book, visit www.rigb.org/ Vote for your favourite bear for Fat Bear Week, and learn how brown bears know it's time to bulk up.New Scientist Live tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered why buses often come in threes or found yourself captivated by the inherent beauty of numbers and patterns? Join us as we unravel these mysteries with our guest, Rob Eastaway, acclaimed author and one of the UK's leading promoters of mathematics. Rob shares his intriguing journey into the world of numbers, from his childhood filled with puzzles and games, to his significant contributions as a mathematics promoter and author. He also reveals his unconventional approach to numbers, using the allure of puzzles to encourage maths education.In this episode, we delve deep into the fascinating patterns that govern our daily lives and the world around us. With Rob as our guide, we explore the intriguing phenomena of bus arrivals, the power of threes, and the dynamics of traffic flow on motorways. Rob provides captivating insights into these occurrences and unveils how game theory and driver behavior influence the traffic dynamics we encounter every day. We wrap up the episode with Rob discussing his work as founder and Director of  Maths Inspiration, a theatre-based lecture programme designed for teenagers. He sheds light on his use of interactive games, such as the black and white hat game, to captivate his audience and illustrate the power of logic and deduction. Rob also shares his unique approach to engaging adult audiences, by blending maths and magic. He offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book, 'Headscratchers' and other projects. Whether you're a maths enthusiast or just curious about the hidden patterns in everyday life, this episode is a must-listen!Rob's links:https://robeastaway.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rob-Eastaway/e/B0035XGEQS/ref=aufs_dp_fta_an_dskRob's latest book, Headscratchers is out on 5th October '23 www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, Teresa Senyah explores the overarching theme of making maths ‘fun' beyond the curriculum, puzzles and their role in maths enrichment and its interconnection with other subjects. She is alongside Rob Eastaway who has dedicated his career to promoting mathematics outside the classroom and inspiring people of all ages to embrace the beauty of mathematics.

Somehow blue jeans, which are basically just work clothes, became this worldwide fashion staple, and have remained so for decades. How did that happen? This episode begins by discussing the origins of jeans and how they became such a big deal. Source: James Sullivan, author of Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon (https://amzn.to/2F0wyID) Do coincidences happen for a reason or are they just quirky random events? Why is it so hard to find a 4-leaf clover – or any other plant with 4 leaf clusters? Is there a better day to buy lottery tickets than another day? These are just some of the fascinating life questions tackled by Rob Eastaway, author of the book Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/2FEWfib) Where do you come from and what are you made of? It appears we are made from recycled atoms that have come from parts of stars, dinosaurs and even other people. Science writer Brian Clegg author of the book What Do You Think You Are? The Science of What Makes You You (https://amzn.to/35TifRq) joins me to discuss the latest science about what goes in to making you what you are. And he explains how and why you are uniquely different from everybody and everything else in the universe. You probably know that laughing is good for you and crying is as well. In fact, laughing and crying are really very similar. Listen as I discuss the fine line between laughing and crying and the many benefits of both. https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/09/07/curious-behvaior-provine/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Zocdoc is the only FREE app that lets you find AND book doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance, are available when you need them and treat almost every condition under the sun! Go to https://Zocdoc.com/SYSK and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. For the first time in NetSuite's 25 years as the #1 cloud financial system, you can defer payments of a FULL NetSuite implementation for six months! If you've been sizing NetSuite up to make the switch then you know this deal is unprecedented - no interest, no payments - take advantage of this special financing offer at https://NetSuite.com/SYSK ! The Dell Technologies' Black Friday in July event has arrived with limited-quantity deals on top tech to power any passion. Save on select XPS PCs and more powered by the latest Intel® Core™ processors. Plus, get savings on select monitors and accessories, free shipping and monthly payment options with Dell Preferred Account. Save today by calling 877-ASK-DELL ! Discover Credit Cards do something pretty awesome. At the end of your first year, they automatically double all the cash back you've earned! See terms and check it out for yourself at https://Discover.com/match Keep American farming and enjoy the BEST grass-fed meat & lamb, pastured pork & chicken and wild caught-Alaskan salmon by going to https://MoinkBox.com/Yum  RIGHT NOW and get a free gift with your first order! Let's find “us” again by putting our phones down for five.  Five days, five hours, even five minutes. Join U.S. Cellular in the Phones Down For Five challenge! Find out more at https://USCellular.com/findus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An article on the UK's Telegraph newspaper website claimed that there would be just 6 grandchildren for every 100 South Koreans today. We ask whether that figure is correct and look at why South Korea's birth rate has fallen to one of the lowest in the world, with the help of author and mathematician Rob Eastaway and journalist and author Hawon Jung. Presenter: Tim Harford Producers: Bethan Ashmead Latham, Jon Bithrey Editor: Richard Vadon Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound Engineer: James Beard

My guest is Rob Eastaway. Author of many books which make maths more interesting and accessible. He also has a podcast called Puzzling Maths with Andrew Jeffrey which you should check out if by some miracle you're not getting all your maths vitamins from here. His most recent book is Maths on the back of an Envelope and it's about the surprising power of mental arithmetic. Along the way, finding out,how to tell the height of a tree using the remains of a savoury snack, estimating crowds, dividing restaurant bills, counting weddings, getting a rough idea of what's going on using Rob's favourite word: -ish And generally hopefully, giving us all a bit of confidence to get the answer wrong but close enough. At the very end Ruby takes his advice on board and just start adding stuff up out of the blue. Well not out of the blue, off the milk carton. Follow me on twitter @colmoregan, the podcast @functionroompod. Rob is at https://robeastaway.com/

The Brink's-Mat robbery remains to this day one of Britain's biggest and most audacious heists. Six armed men stole diamonds, cash and three tonnes of gold bullion from a warehouse close to London's Heathrow Airport in November 1983. It's now the subject of a BBC television drama, The Gold, which includes the claim that most gold jewellery bought in the UK from 1984 onwards will contain traces of that stolen gold. But how true is that? Tim Harford and team investigate, with the help of Zoe Lyons from Hatton Garden Metals and Rob Eastaway, author of Maths on the Back of an Envelope.

How did an edition of More or Less from 2017 end up influencing the choice of official names for extremely large numbers? We tell the tale of how an interview between presenter Tim Harford and maths whizz Rob Eastaway did just that. Also featuring Professor Richard Brown, head of metrology at the UK's National Physical Laboratory. Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Jon Bithrey Editor: Richard Vadon Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Sound Engineer: James Beard Image: Large number, Credit: Getty Images

In which we usher in the heat with the summery sounds of a kalimba.---Puzzle 1: Pedal to the Gold Medal (by Rob Eastaway) (Logic/Math/Trivia) (9:30)---Puzzle 2: Midsummer in the Outdoors (Word) (11:05)---Puzzle 3: Goodnight Noises Everywhere (Lateral Thinking) (13:00)To check your answer to the sound effect puzzle, go here.Visit braindroppodcast.com for a refresher on these puzzles and for more show notes.Thanks to Rob Eastaway for sharing a puzzle.  Check out his podcast Puzzling Maths.Send an email with your solutions, or suggest a puzzle for a future episode: puzzles@braindroppodcast.com

Annie Chave is the founder and editor of County Cricket Matters magazine and a regular contributor to Guerilla Cricket. Rob Eastaway is a writer, lecturer and cricket-lover who produced a clear and witty book explaining cricket's mysteries called What Is A Googly? as well as several explaining the mathematics behind such everyday mysteries as why buses arrive in threes. They are joint trustees of a new charity called the Googly Fund which supports adult recreational cricket. They describe its origins, purpose and successes as the latest guests of Peter Oborne and Richard Heller in their cricket-themed podcast. In Peter's unavoidable absence, Roger Alton replaces him as co-host.Read the full description here: https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/episode-64-who-needs-the-hundred-when-two-hundred-parents-start-playing-cricket/Get in contact by emailing obornehellercricket@outlook.com

This year sees the delayed 400th anniversary celebrations of the Mayflower voyage, an event seen as a crucial moment in the history of the United States. But how many people alive today can trace back their lineage to those first 102 passengers? Tim speaks to Rob Eastaway and Dr Misha Ewen about maths and the Mayflower.

Sandpaper Gate has again become the talk of the cricketing world since fresh revelations by Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss if it will ever be forgotten? Plus we hear from 21 year old New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra. He discusses the prospect of making his international debut, his Indian heritage and the support of his family. And the team are joined by author Rob Eastaway who has decided to channel the royalties from his latest book into a UK fund to invest in friendly cricket for adults. Photo: This video grab taken from a footage released by AFP TV shows Australia's captain Steve Smith (R), flankled by teammate Cameron Bancroft, speaking during a press conference in Cape Town, on March 24, 2018 as he admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa. (Credit: STR/AFP TV/AFP via Getty Images)

Have you ever wondered why pumpkins are associated with Halloween? After all, they aren’t particularly scary and have nothing to do with ghosts. This episode begins with an explanation of why pumpkins and Halloween go hand in hand. www.pumpkin-patch.com I am sure you have wondered things like: Why do coincidences happen? Why is it so hard to find a 4-leaf clover? What day is best to buy a lottery ticket? Why do traffic jams happen? These are just some of the fascinating life questions tackled by Rob Eastaway, author of the book Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life (https://amzn.to/2FEWfib) When your “check engine” light comes on it means there is something wrong. However it may be something simple that you can fix yourself and there is a very easy way to find out. Listen and discover what it is. Source: Phil Edmonston author of The Lemon-Aid Car Guide (https://amzn.to/33wtJaC)  Some people are cautious while others seek danger and thrills. Why? Why do some people love the thrill of a wild rollercoaster or scary movie or even skydiving while other people would much rather stay home and read a book? Ken Carter has explored the minds of thrill seekers to discover what makes them seek danger and actually enjoy it while others dread the idea. Ken is a board certified clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Oxford College of Emory University and author of the book Buzz!:Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies (https://amzn.to/35FIwCn) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month's podcast, we're joined by @CoreMathsCat, who is Catherine van Sarloos in real life. We discuss: Number of the Podcast: 179 (balloons) Maths Week England is mid-November (11-16th). Catherine is involved in running a contest for it! Via Peter Rowlett: Women's names Via Adam Atkinson: rounding up or rounding away from zero or rounding to even? Reading books: we're all getting our teeth into Rob Eastaway's Maths On The Back Of An Envelope and Kit Yates's Maths Of Life And Death. Cat is also reading Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. The Pink Tax How much does nursery […] The post Wrong, But Useful: Episode 72 appeared first on Flying Colours Maths.

*** This episode of the Mr Barton Maths Podcast is kindly sponsored by White Rose Maths To find out more about their new purposeful practice worksheets and their online CPD opportunities, just visit: whiterosemaths.com *** On thisContinue reading The post Rob Eastaway: Estimation, perception of maths and the importance of haha appeared first on Mr Barton Maths Blog. No related posts.

What can L&D professionals learn from the likes of Mary Poppins, Jaws and Inception?  This week on the podcast, Ross D is taking Owen, Ross G, Gemma and Stewart on a trip to the movies. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @OwenFerguson, @RossGarnerGP, @gemmatowersey and @shardie15.   To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. The 'Superchickens' TED Talk that Ross referenced was by Margaret Hefferman. The Forbes article Owen mentioned is 'Understanding Fake Agile'. The book Stewart referenced, 'How Many Socks Make a Pair?', is by Rob Eastaway. Robert Macfarlane's latest book is called 'Underland: A Deep Time Journey'.  Last but by no means least, if you are a keen listener of the podcast, there may still be time to get hold of tickets to our live show on 12 June. You can reserve your place at:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-goodpractice-podcast-live-tickets-61576647410

Emma John, Rob Eastaway and Jon Harvey discuss who’s made an impression in the World Cup so far, demystify some of cricket’s oddities and decide what’s the most irritating noise to be sat next to during a game

Science Shambles is back from its mini break and Helen Czerski has taken over hosting duties while Robin is on tour! Today she's joined by two of our favourite mathematicians, Matt Parker and Rob Eastaway to chat about the difference between maths puzzles and maths problems (and which is better), the underlying problems with sports rankings, Matt's new number one bestseller Humble Pi and much more! Then at the end Helen is joined by Eve Cowely of Footprint Theatre, and Shambles producer Trent Burton, to briefly talk about Signals, the radio telescope based comedy on tour through the CSN this year. Tickets and dates for that are at https://cosmicshambles.com/signals Support the podcast, and the Cosmic Shambles Network by pledging at http://patreon.com/bookshambles

Lauren loves mathematics and that shines through in this interview.  She has worked for many years as a maths teacher and so I wanted to talk with her about her life and perspective on this as well as her work with the NZ Association of Maths Teachers.  This podcast covers any topic that we want it too - variety and quality of story are the consistent principles! We first met almost 20 years ago when I was living in Wellington so it was great to be able to chat with Lauren about her life and what has shaped her.   Some links and resources mentioned: NZ Association of Maths Teachers: http://www.nzamt.org.nz/contact-us/executive-committee-contacts NZ Maths https://nzmaths.co.nz/ Rob Eastaway http://www.robeastaway.com/ Mathscraft https://acems.org.au/mathscraft   Maths is Fun https://www.mathsisfun.com/ This is the 98th interview.   For more stories visit www.theseeds.nz  

We received this question from Chani... "My socks never stay together in the wash. One always disappears. Is there a scientific explanation for where those socks go? Why are they so unhappy in monogamous relationships?"Izzie Clarke asked Rob Eastaway, mathematician and author of "How Many Socks Make A Pair", to sort out the odds. For more podcasts, head to nakedscientists.com or like and subscribe to The Naked Scientists or Question of the Week on your favourite podcast app. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Michael Rosen and Laura Wright talk to maths writer Rob Eastaway about imperial and metric measurements. How and why do they co-exist in the United Kingdom? Why are teenagers still talking in feet and inches when at school they are taught in centimetres? And where do the words 'gallon', 'tonne' 'acre' and "yard" come from? Producer Sally Heaven.

There are golfers who could go an entire lifetime without getting a hole-in-one. Recently the BBC reported a pair of amateur players who each scored one - one after the other. It was reported widely that there was a 1 in 17 million chance of this happening. We speak to maths writer, Rob Eastaway, who explains the difficulties of trying to work out the chances. Why do people hear voices in their head - like Rachel Waddingham who hears three-year-old Blue, 11-year-old Elfie and a panel of three critical scientists. Around 2% of people claim, like Rachel, to be inhabited by voices with whom they have full blown relationships. Are they all sick? And why have some psychologists changed their minds about the dangers of colluding with the voices? Social media has become an integral part of modern life - but what if you have been in jail for the last 30 years? Many recently released so-called juvenile lifers in the US now find themselves grappling with the mysteries of Facebook and Whatsapp, and other aspects of new technology. (Photo: Man playing golf. Credit: Shutterstock)

The numbers we need to describe the world around us are getting bigger. Maths author Rob Eastaway explains the names for successive sizes of computer storage space and makes the case for a new giant unit of measurement: the Brontobyte. We review recent developments in social media, such as the rise of 4Chan, and look ahead to the changes we can expect to see online in 2018. And why are we creatures of habit? Doing everyday tasks without thinking frees our brains for more complicated decision making, but what happens when we form habits beyond our control, and how do we form good habits rather than bad ones? Shiulie Ghosh investigates. (Photo: Journalist working on his computer, August 1980, at the Agence France-Presse. Credit: Getty Images)

The numbers we need to describe the world around us are getting bigger. Maths author Rob Eastaway explains the names for successive sizes of computer storage space and makes the case for a new giant unit of measurement: the Brontobyte. Tales of sexist double standards have become a talking point on social media in Pakistan. We delve into this issue through the lens of three viral stories. Why, when natural disaster is imminent, do some people ignore all warnings to leave and decide to stay put in their homes? Shivaani Kohok investigates. (Photo: Journalist working on his computer, August 1980, at the Agence France-Presse. Credit: Getty Images)

What is happening to nurses pay? Amid reports of nurses using food banks, Jeremy Hunt said he doesn’t recognise claims their wages are worth less now than in 2010. He says nurses are actually paid £31,000 - more than the average person. If he’s right, why do so many nurses say they’re earning much less than that? The Great Scottish Election Conspiracy The reporting of the Scottish council elections has caused a bit of a stir. Did the SNP lose seven seats or gain six. The media including the BBC reported that they had lost seats, the many SNP supporters are sure that this isn’t a fair representation of their performance. This all hinges on how you look at the results last time around and how you account for the major boundary review that took place between elections. Tim tries to get to the bottom of what has happened with Professor David Denver from Lancaster University. Penalty shootout maths What do coffee, stew and nerve-biting football finales have in common? Maths whizz and football aficionado Rob Eastaway explains all. UEFA, European football’s governing body, is currently trialling a new system for penalty shootouts. But what is the maths behind the new system – and could a century-old Scandinavian mathematical sequence offer a better approach? Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Charlotte McDonald

Oxfam says that 62 people now own as much wealth as half of the world's population. But is this really telling us anything meaningful? And how is it that this study shows that some of the world's poorest people live in the United States?What do you do with bored children on a bus? Rob Eastaway, author of ‘Maths on the go,' gets three pupils to play a game on the Number 12 in south London. Prime Minister David Cameron said this week that 22% of British Muslim women speak little or no English. He says that equates to 190,000. We look at the figures.Plus, was the Hatton Garden Heist the biggest robbery ever? Is water more expensive than oil? And a new prime number is discovered.

Put down your pens and pick up your protractor, this month Alex Clark delves inside the world of maths with Cedric Villani, Tom McCarthy and Rob Eastaway. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Roald Dahl's novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka's factory. But one of our younger More or Less listeners in England wanted to find out what the chances would be of winning one of those Golden Tickets. So we sent maths book author Rob Eastaway to her school in Derby to explain the answer to her class-mates - a must-listen for anyone who struggles to get their head around probability. Also on the programme we look at whether the age of players makes a difference in World Cup football. This programme was first broadcast on the BBC World Service.

It's often said that one dog year equals seven human years. But is it true? Tim Harford and Ben Carter unveil the More or Less Dogulator. Plus, 15 distant relatives of England's King Richard III are petitioning the High Court about where the king should be buried. Some reporting has implied that the famous 15 are almost the only descendants of Richard III who exist. But mathematician Rob Eastaway figures out how many other relatives of Richard III might actually be out there.