Were there really Three Wise Men?
Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life.
The surprising things we learn when we count everyone - a tour of the UK census through time.
We also figure out just how many parking officers there are versus soldiers in the British army.
Who really does all the housework? Plus - 20 years of ‘Freakonomics’ with Stephen Dubner.
And finally - were there really three wise men who visited baby Jesus? And were they kings as the Christmas hymn would lead us to believe?
Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeil
Producers: Charlotte McDonald, Nathan Gower and Katie Solleveld
Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill
Editor: Richard Vadon
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Broadcasts
- Christmas Eve 202509:00BBC Radio 4
- Christmas Day 202505:04BBC Radio 4
- Boxing Day 202516:30BBC Radio 4
Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU
Explore how numbers shape, and sometimes mislead us, with The Open University.
When can you trust statistics?
BBC Ideas discovers three easy ways to help make sense of statistics.
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