More or Less

Updated Friday 17th April 2020

More or Less was an idea born of the sense that numbers were the principal language of public argument. And yet there were few places where it was thought necessary to step back and think - in the way we often step back to think about language - about the way we use figures: what they really measure, what kind of truth, if any, they capture. Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life.

To find out more about More Or Less, listen on iPlayer, by podcast, or dip into the archive.

About the radio series

Read more about the episodes in the series.

22nd April 2020

COVID-19 - When are we going to be past the worst? We try and compare how successful different countries have been at containing the virus.
Mathematical comedian Matt Parker helps us out with a perplexing sum about social distancing.
Headlines tell us how many NHS staff and transport workers are dying from the virus, but how does this compare with the general population?
Is it just us, or have the birds started singing really loudly?

Explore further

Explore our articles on numbers and statistics.

Image by Hank Williams from Pixabay under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Fake news during COVID-19

Dr Kaustubh Adhikari, Lecturer in Statistics at The Open University, interviews science integrity expert Dr Elisabeth Bik.

Read now ❯Fake news during COVID-19

Image by geralt on Pixabay under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
The research and modelling of COVID-19

Dr Kaustubh Adhikari, Lecturer in Statistics at The Open University, interviews Dr Sayantan Banerjee, a statistician from IIM-Indore.

Read now ❯The research and modelling of COVID-19

Used with permission
Obesity: Balanced diets and treatment

The incidence of obesity is on the increase in affluent societies, and the phenomenon commands increasing attention from health professionals, legislators and the media. This free course, Obesity: Balanced diets and treatment, looks at the science behind obesity, examining the dietary, physiological and genetic aspects of the topic.

Learn more ❯Obesity: Balanced diets and treatment

Pixabay under Creative-Commons license
The fight against obesity

How are we battling the unrelenting rise in obesity? And how could the government help?

Watch now ❯The fight against obesity

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The challenge of obesity

Obesity is an increasingly common problem because, for many people, modern living involves eating excessive amounts of low cost, high-calorie food and spending a lot of time sitting down at desks, on sofas or in cars.

Read now ❯The challenge of obesity

What is a virus?

There's been a lot in the news recently about viruses. So what is a virus and what do we know about the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19?

Read now ❯What is a virus?

© Adam Howarth in Flickr made available under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Nutrition: vitamins and minerals

Both vitamins and minerals are essential in the diet in small quantities. Learn about the two main vitamin groups and the major mineral elements. This free course, Nutrition: vitamins and minerals, looks at the two main groups of vitamins: the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K; and the water-soluble vitamins, the B group and vitamin C. It also examines the major mineral elements, and the importance of fluid balance in the body.

Learn more ❯Nutrition: vitamins and minerals

Five tips for relaxing during difficult times

Modern life can leave many of us feeling stressed out. Here Dr Mathijs Lucassen offers five tips so that you can relax.

Read now ❯Five tips for relaxing during difficult times

Natural Resources Conservation Science under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Soil could save Earth from overheating

New research shows that changing the way we farm and manage soils so they store carbon rather than lose it would help avoid dangerous climate change.

Read now ❯Soil could save Earth from overheating

Copyright free: Engin_akyurt
Soil as the book of nature

Our planet is largely covered with soil, and like sunlight and water we tend to take it for granted, and not give it the respect it deserves.

Read now ❯Soil as the book of nature

Tim Zachernuk under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 license
How can you turn desert into farmland?

Soil is not just dirt but a living system with many important functions. Degraded soils impact on food production, erosion, and more, affecting the lives of people around the world. Restoration efforts in China, Zambia and other countries seek to reverse this trend.

Read now ❯How can you turn desert into farmland?

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Trusting Statistics in Today’s News

With so many contradictory statistics in the news, how do you know which COVID-19 stats are accurate? Who can you trust?

Listen now ❯Trusting Statistics in Today’s News

Copyright: The Open University
Download your free mathematical puzzles

Download your free mathematical puzzles to help you unscramble The Code here then come back to OpenLearn once you've got that six-digit number.

Read now ❯Download your free mathematical puzzles

The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Perplex: Classic puzzles, past and present

Test your puzzle-solving ability with incredibly immersive and interactive puzzles from The Open University and UKMT

Take part now ❯Perplex: Classic puzzles, past and present

bar graph, graph, bar chart, statistics, chart, maths

Learn with the OU

Take a look at the related qualifications and free courses we offer at The Open University.

Qualifications

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BSc (Honours) Mathematics

This degree will take your understanding of the concepts, theories and applications of mathematics to graduate level, and give you the opportunity to study some statistics, theoretical physics or mathematics education. You'll cover a wide range of topics and develop an understanding of mathematical problems and approaches. You'll get plenty of practice with essential methods and tools, and increase your familiarity with mathematical software. You'll gain an appreciation of the role and construction of rigorous proof, and build experience of communicating mathematical arguments and conclusions.

Learn more ❯BSc (Honours) Mathematics

Copyright: The Open University/Karen Parker
BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics

This degree will provide you with extensive knowledge of probability and statistics, combined with either pure mathematics or applied mathematics. It will equip you with problem-solving and decision-making tools; give you experience using relevant software packages; and provide practice in conducting and communicating statistical investigations. You'll develop your understanding of time series analysis, multivariate data analysis, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing; and explore classical and Bayesian approaches to statistics.

Learn more ❯BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics

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BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Physics

In this degree, you'll develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts in theoretical physics and the underpinning mathematical ideas and methods. It will teach you how to use essential techniques and relevant software, and acquire skills in communicating arguments and conclusions clearly and concisely. You'll explore the concepts of modern physics, including Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. And have the opportunity to get plenty of practice with the tools of applied mathematics, including mathematical methods, mathematical modelling and numerical analysis.

Learn more ❯BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Physics

Modules

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Discovering mathematics

This key introductory OU level 1 module provides a gentle start to the study of mathematics. It will help you to integrate mathematical ideas into your everyday thinking and build your confidence in using and learning mathematics. You'll cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques, and be introduced to mathematical modelling. Formal calculus is not included and you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of algebra. The skills introduced will be needed if you plan to study more mathematics modules, such as (MST124), and are also required in other areas, such as computing, economics, science, technology, social science, humanities, business and education.

Learn more ❯Discovering mathematics

Copyright: Rimantas Abromas | Dreamstime.com
Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications

This module builds on the engineering concepts and basic mathematics in (T192) and (T193). Throughout the initial eight weeks, your study will strengthen and consolidate your skills and knowledge in already visited topics to ensure you have a robust foundation of numeracy and algebra essential for new concepts. Next, you'll explore the techniques of trigonometry, calculus, complex numbers and matrices in the context of engineering examples such as motion, heat transfer and basic statics and electricity. You'll finish the module with guided revision and develop exam techniques in preparation for the final examination.

Learn more ❯Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications

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Introducing statistics

Today, more than ever, statistics is part of our lives. From this key introductory module you will learn how to use basic statistical tools and quantitative methods that are useful in business, government, industry, medicine, the economy, and most academic subjects. Topics covered include: summarising data; examining relationships; randomness and sampling distributions; probability; testing hypotheses; and estimation. Using data from a range of applications, you'll learn practical statistical techniques and fundamental principles, as well as using software and a calculator to analyse data. The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics modules or if you encounter data in another subject or your daily life.

Learn more ❯Introducing statistics

Free courses

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Using numbers and handling data

You might not realise it, but maths is an essential component of healthcare. In fact, sloppy calculations can have fatal consequences. This free course, Using numbers and handling data, is designed for those contemplating a future in the health services industry.

Learn more ❯Using numbers and handling data

Used with permission
Visualisation: Visual representations of data and information

Modern society is often referred to as 'the information society' - but how can we make sense of all the information we are bombarded with? In this free course, Visualisation: Visual representations of data and information, you will learn how to interpret, and in some cases create, visual representations of data and information that help us to see things in a different way.

Learn more ❯Visualisation: Visual representations of data and information

Used with permission
Exploring data: Graphs and numerical summaries

This free course, Exploring data: graphs and numerical summaries, will introduce you to a number of ways of representing data graphically and of summarising data numerically. You will learn the uses for pie charts, bar charts, histograms and scatterplots. You will also be introduced to various ways of summarising data and methods for assessing location and dispersion.

Learn more ❯Exploring data: Graphs and numerical summaries

Meet the OU experts

Meet Dr Katie Chicot and Dr Kaustubh Adhikari the OU academic consultants on the series.

Dr Katie Chicot, Senior Lecturer, Staff Tutor in Mathematics & Statistics Copyright: Kate Chicot

Katie Chicot researches infinite combinatorial structures.

Katie completed her PhD in mathematics at the University of Leeds. Desiring to bring the beauty and clarity of mathematics to a broader audience Katie became the Clothworkers’ Fellow in Mathematics at the Royal Institution. Soon after she became an Associate Lecturer with the Open University and then a Staff Tutor.

Katie is involved in many projects which bring maths to the public and schools. She is the CEO of MathsWorldUK, she has been a Holgate lecturer with the London Mathematical Society and has served on the council of the UK Mathematics Trust.

Katie has an interest in gender in STEM and has been made resources that help women to return to STEM employment such as the short course Return to STEM.

Tackling mathematical problems and encouraging others to engage with mathematical investigations are the cornerstones of Katie’s work.

See Katie's full profile.

Copyright: Kaustubh Adhikari Dr Kaustubh Adhikari, Lecturer in Statistics, Faculty: Mathematics & Statistics

Kaustubh obtained his PhD in Biostatistics from the Harvard University, working on mathematical modelling of epidemiology. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher in statistical genetics at the University College London, before joining the Open University as a Lecturer in Statistics.

Kaustubh’s research has unravelled the genetic and evolutionary basis of many aspects of our appearance, for example hair greying, face shape, or skin colour. A key component of his research is to increase the diversity of research participants around the world, in particular with under-represented ethnicities.

Kaustubh is a member of the Royal Statistical Society and the Genetics Society. He has a keen interest in science communication and public engagement. Parts of his forensics research was featured in the BBC documentary DNA+.

He is also involved in the masterclass programme organized by the Royal Institution for students with particular interest in mathematics and statistics. At the OU Kaustubh teaches a broad range of courses, in applied, computational, and mathematical statistics.

See Kaustubh's full profile.

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Originally published: Monday, 14th January 2019
Last updated on: Friday, 17th April 2020

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Body text - Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0: The Open University
Image 'More or Less presenter Tim Harford' - Copyright: The BBC
Image 'Photo of surgical gloves and mask with caption FAKE NEWS' - Image by Hank Williams from Pixabay under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Image 'A banner with the words COVID-19 unzipped' - Image by geralt on Pixabay under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Image 'Banner image of surgical mask with the word COVID-19 on the mask' - Photo by 15734951 on Pixabay under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Image 'Obesity: Balanced diets and treatment' - Copyright: Used with permission
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Image 'Nutrition: vitamins and minerals' - © Adam Howarth in Flickr made available under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ under Creative-Commons license
Image 'Man holds a handful of soil in a field with a spade behind him. ' - Natural Resources Conservation Science under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
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Image 'Exploring data: Graphs and numerical summaries' - Copyright: Used with permission
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