More or Less: Behind the Stats

Did missed appointments cost the NHS £1 billion last year? New figures published recently suggest that the financial cost to the NHS for missed appointments was £1 billion last year. But our listeners are curious. How has this figure been worked out? And don’t missed appointments actually ease the pressure on an overcrowded system?Graduate pay – is it always higher than non-graduates’ pay? It is often claimed that if you go to university and get a degree, you will earn more than those who do not. But is that always true? We take a look to see if there are occasions when having a degree makes little difference or whether the benefit of a degree has changed over time.How much cocaine is on a bank note? Tim Harford speaks to Richard Sleeman who works for a firm, Mass Spec Analytical, that specialises in working out how much cocaine can be found on bank notes across the country. Do some parts of the country have more cocaine on their notes than others? Is it true that 99% of bank notes in London have cocaine on them?Is it true that one in five can’t name an author of literature? Last year the Royal Society of Literature made this claim – but what was it based on? It turns out a polling company found that 20 percent questioned failed to name a single author. Should we be surprised? We took a look at the data.Diet Coke Habit The New York Times claims that Donald Trump drinks ‘a dozen’ Diet Cokes a day. With each can of 330ml containing 42mg of caffeine - what impact, if any, could this have on the President’s health?

Exploring the improbable feat of achieving a hole-in-one in golf, with statistics revealing only 10 to 15 occurring yearly out of 15,000 rounds played. Delving into the unique instances and expert analysis on the likelihood of achieving a hole-in-one. Revealing how knowledge of probabilities can lead to success in gambling on golf tournaments.

Discover the top highlighted terms of the year, explore the chosen statistics including global phone connections, learn about technology advancements in Africa and India, analyze risk and statistical perception in America, and explore the surprisingly low densely built-up area in the UK.

Exploring the energy used to secure cryptocurrency, dissecting Bitcoin mining and its electricity consumption, comparing it to traditional systems and addressing sustainability concerns amid rapid growth.

Exploring the impact of caffeine on the president's health due to his high Diet Coke consumption, contained wildfires in California, and a personal journey of a Diet Coke addiction

Headlines claim that eating chocolate can protect you from developing Alzheimer’s disease. The theory is that bioactives within chocolate called flavanols can help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and even make your brain 30 years younger! But isn’t this all a bit too good to be true? The BBC’s Head of Statistics, Robert Cuffe, investigates whether research findings are misrepresented by funders, PR machines and the media. Presenter: Robert Cuffe Producer: Lizzy McNeill

Investigating the suspicious patterns of frequent lottery wins and fraudulent schemes, this podcast questions the balance between luck and manipulation. With insights into statistical improbability and deceitful tactics, it explores the intriguing world of multiple lottery winners.

Delve into Mr. Darcy's financial status in the 19th century literature and compare his wealth to contemporary standards. Explore the love story between Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, and analyze his wealth in historical and modern contexts. Discover how Darcy's riches would compare to modern sports stars and billionaires, revealing his status as one of the wealthiest individuals of his era.

Graham Dunbar, sports writer, discusses the financial implications of Italy's World Cup failure. Topics include FIFA potentially losing $100m, the impact on TV rights value, challenges in attracting sponsors, and the prevalence of child marriage in Nigeria.

Music journalist Hugh McIntyre discusses how a change in album chart measurements has influenced artists to make longer albums, citing Chris Brown's 45-track release. Senior writer Marc Hogan talks about a number affecting pop music. The podcast explores the impact of streaming platforms on album lengths and the manipulation of charts by releasing longer albums. It also delves into the significance of the first 30 seconds of a song in relation to streaming success.