Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy combines visual demonstrations with his unique gift for explanation to explains how maths can help us choose the best cat food, and pick our lottery numbers . Marcus explains how advertisers attempt to influence our opinion using statistics and arms us with the maths we need to fight-back. He takes us inside the chance-ridden world of gambling and reveals how, despite uncertain outcomes, an understanding of probability can help us come out on top. Marcus explores the bizarre nature of causation, and shows us how, although two events might be linked, one does not necessarily cause the other. He explains how even famous politicians have fallen into this trap and how we need mathematics to get out of it. Marcus finally talks to Professor Philip Dawid about how juries need to understand statistics when they evaluate scientific evidence. He explains how maths in the courtroom can mean the difference between freedom and lifetime imprisonment.

Video Series: Painting With Numbers
Release Date 2006