Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Odds Of That Happening

DNY59
/
iStock
Vermont author and mathematician Joseph Mazur's latest book delves into the math and myth of coincidence.

Word problems in math tend to be where many students take an exit from the subject. They find them to be confounding and confusing.

But what about stories of seemingly random coincidence? Once someone in a group shares one, it starts an avalanche of similar tales.

Joseph Mazur is emeritus professor of mathematics at Marlboro College. He's also the author of a new book, "Fluke: The Math & Myth of Coincidence."

He joins us to share various types of coincidences and explains how we can calculate the probability of them occurring.

Also on the program, Vermont Health Commissioner Harry Chen discusses the legislation of opioid prescribing being considered at the national and state levels.

Broadcast live on Wed., April 20, 2016 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Ric was a producer for Vermont Edition and host of the VPR Cafe.
Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Latest Stories