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Stamp prices and the first maths book

Tim Harford compares the cost of posting a letter around the world; and he hears how modern numbers travelled from the ancient Arab world to Europe in the very first maths book, written by Fibonacci.

The Royal Mail says UK stamp prices are still among the best value in Europe, despite an imminent price rise. Tim Harford finds out whether this is true, and compares the price of postal services around the world.

Plus, he finds out how, after being invented by Indian mathematicians, modern numbers became established in the ancient Arab world and then journeyed on to Europe in what was essentially the first maths textbook ever written, Liber Abaci. Its author was Leonardo of Pisa, better known as Fibonacci. Tim speaks to Keith Devlin, author of The Man of Numbers, to find out more.

Producer: Ruth Alexander

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Apr 2012 11:50GMT
BBC World Service Online

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 7 Apr 2012 22:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sun 8 Apr 2012 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online

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    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life