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BBC Radio 4

Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life.

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1,133 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes1133

Newest first

Nov 5, 2012 · 9 min
Is America’s conviction rate really 99.5%?
Conrad Black has claimed that 99.5% of prosecution cases in America end up in convictions.
Oct 29, 2012 · 9 min
Predicting L'Aquila Earthquake: is it right to blame the scientists?
This week six scientists and one ex-government official were sentenced to prison for...
Oct 22, 2012 · 9 min
Life-saving economics
Professor Al Roth tells Tim Harford about the work for which he has just been awarded...
Oct 15, 2012 · 8 min
Predicting the global population
Predicting the global population: does anyone really know what’s going to happen?
Oct 8, 2012 · 9 min
Predicting the Presidency
Nate Silver tells us who will win the 2012 US election - and how he knows.
Oct 1, 2012 · 9 min
Plenty more fish in the sea?
Only 100 cod are left in the North Sea according to newspapers. Is this the most wrong...
Sep 24, 2012 · 9 min
Factchecking America
US Presidential Election factchecked. Is Mitt Romney right to say that 47% of pay no...
Sep 17, 2012 · 9 min
Investigating crime statistics
Ruth Alexander investigates Sweden's high rape rate, and finds out which countries are...
Sep 10, 2012 · 9 min
Where are the Paralympics Medals?
Why did the USA top the gold medals league in the Olympics, but not the Paralympics?...
Sep 3, 2012 · 9 min
How to explain infinity to a 4-year-old
‘What’s the number before infinity?’ asks Claudia, aged 4. We challenge Johnny...
Aug 27, 2012 · 9 min
Are African leaders more likely to die in office?
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia is the fourth African premier to die this year alone.
Aug 20, 2012 · 9 min
Levelling the statistical playing field
Given that some countries are richer than others, and some have larger populations, us...
Aug 17, 2012 · 27 min
The great playing field sell off?
Given that some countries are richer than others, and some have larger populations, us...
Aug 13, 2012 · 9 min
How to lose money - fast!
Last week Knight Capital lost a lot of money very quickly. It was the latest chapter...
Aug 10, 2012 · 27 min
How to lose money - fast!
Last week Knight Capital lost a lot of money very quickly. It was the latest chapter...
Aug 4, 2012 · 9 min
How extraordinary is Ye Shiwen? WS
There was controversy this week after Ye Shiwen, a young Chinese swimmer, won the 400...
Aug 3, 2012 · 27 min
How extraordinary is Ye Shiwen?
There was controversy this week after Ye Shiwen, a young Chinese swimmer, won the 400...
Jul 28, 2012 · 9 min
Gun laws and gold medals (WS)
Last week's mass-shooting at a cinema in Colorado has - not surprisingly - intensified...
Jul 27, 2012 · 27 min
Gun laws and gold medals
Last week's mass-shooting at a cinema in Colorado has - not suprisingly - intensified...
Jul 21, 2012 · 9 min
Has clamping down on drugs made the Tour de France slower? (WS)
The Tour de France, we are told, has finally cleaned up its act and clamped down on of...