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
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Sat 7 Apr 2012 22:50GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online
- Sun 8 Apr 2012 11:50GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online
Download this programme
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.