The Infinite Monkey Cage

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Podcasts

Factual: Science & Nature

Comedy

Entertainment

Comedy: Chat

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host an irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 28: The Science of Coincidence

The Science of Coincidence

Series 28

BBC Radio 4 - The Infinite Monkey Cage, Series 28, The Science of Coincidence

Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the science of coincidence and being lucky.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince reveal the maths behind luck and coincidence with comedian Sophie Duker, and mathematicians Marcus Du Sautoy and David Spiegelhalter.

Are some people just lucky?  Is there any scientific formula behind coincidences?  Is randomness the norm?  Brian and Robin team up with comedian Sophie Duker, mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy and statistician David Spiegelhalter to uncover the reality and the maths behind seemingly incredible coincidences.  How many people do you need in a room to find two with the same birthday?  What is the weirdest coincidence that the panel have ever encountered?  Is there a mathematical formula to being lucky?   How good are we at judging how likely something is to happen?  The answer is not very, as Brian and Robin unluckily discover.

New episodes released Wednesdays. If you're in the UK, listen to the newest episodes of The Infinite Monkey Cage first on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF


Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 28

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Series 28

The Science of Coincidence

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4