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How to Find Love Online

Episode 7 of 17

Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry uses Dr Xand van Tulleken as her guinea pig to test whether the algorithms that dating sites use to match people actually work.

Dr Xand van Tulleken is single and looking for love. Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry wants to use him as her guinea pig to test whether the algorithms that dating sites use to match people actually work.

While Hannah builds a dating site, Xand meets the scientists investigating online dating - and learns what pictures to use and what to write in his profile. He tries out a 'bot' that has automated a swiping app and has an MRI scan to find out whether his brain is equipped for love.

Fifty members of the public take part in some mini-experiments at a date night - and Xand goes on various dates to test whether the algorithm is better than him choosing randomly.

59 minutes

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Goldfrapp

    Ooh La La

  • 00:03

    Sidney Bechet

    Si Tu Vois Ma Mere

  • 00:05

    Rupert Holmes

    Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

  • 00:18

    Duran Duran

    Girls On Film

  • 00:31

    Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin & Gene Kelly

    New York, New York

  • 00:54

    The Psychedelic Furs

    Pretty In Pink

  • 00:45

    Goldfrapp

    Ooh La La

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterAlexander van Tulleken
PresenterHannah Fry
Series EditorSteve Crabtree
DirectorHelen Williamson
ProducerHelen Williamson

Broadcasts

  • Mon 25 Apr 201621:00
  • Tue 3 May 201623:15
  • Tue 7 Jun 201623:55
  • Wed 8 Jun 201600:25
  • Mon 27 Jun 201603:40
  • Wed 17 Aug 201603:25
  • Thu 14 Feb 201920:00
  • Fri 15 Feb 201902:00

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