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Big Numbers

How a simple computer bug has led to explosions, missing planes and more.

Big numbers do not just confuse people – many computers struggle to process them too. Tim Harford talks to technology journalist Chris Baraniuk, who explains how a simple software bug affects computers controlling planes, spacecraft and has led to explosions, missing space probes and more. And good news – two mothers who asked us to work out the chances of giving birth on the same day have had their babies. We reveal what happened.

(Photo:Composition of connected abstract elements on the subject of networking, science, education and modern technology. Credit: Shutterstock)

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10 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 May 2015 12:50GMT
BBC World Service Online

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 15 May 2015 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Fri 15 May 2015 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sun 17 May 2015 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Mon 18 May 2015 04:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Mon 18 May 2015 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online

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Podcast

  • More or Less

    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life