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Odd Socks and Algorithms

How can the techniques of computer science help us in everyday life? Tim Harford investigates.

How can the techniques of computer science help us in everyday life? We speak to Brian Christian co-author of Algorithms to Live by: The Computer Science of Human Decisions. He argues that the techniques of computer science can help us manage everyday situations in a more logical and efficient manner. So which algorithm can help solve the problem of odd socks? And what is the most efficient way of alphabetising your book collection? Tim Harford investigates.

(Photo: Socks. Credit: Angela N Perryman/Shutterstock)

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9 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Aug 201614:50GMT
BBC World Service except News Internet

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 29 Jul 201621:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & News Internet
  • Mon 1 Aug 201601:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
  • Mon 1 Aug 201602:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview only
  • Mon 1 Aug 201603:50GMT
    BBC World Service East Asia & South Asia only
  • Mon 1 Aug 201604:50GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 1 Aug 201606:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Mon 1 Aug 201614:50GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet

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