Book:Rob Eastaway/Why do Buses Come in Threes?

Contents

 * Foreword by Tim Rice
 * Acknowledgments
 * Introduction


 * 1 Why can't I find a four-leafed clover?
 * Links between nature and mathematics
 * 2 Which way should I go?
 * From postmen to taxi frivers
 * 3 How many people watch Coronation Street?
 * Most public statistics come from surveys, but how reliable are they?
 * 4 Why do clever people get things wrong?
 * Sometimes experience and intelligence can be a disadvantage
 * 5 What's the best bet?
 * Lotteries, horses and casinos all offer the chance of a big prize
 * 6 How do you explain a coincidence?
 * Coincidences aren't as surprising as you would think
 * 7 What's the best view of Nelson's column?
 * Everyday geometries, from snooker to statues
 * 8 How do you keep a secret?
 * Code-making and breaking isn't just for spies
 * 9 Why do buses come in threes?
 * Travelling without a car leads to all sorts of conundrums
 * 10 What's the best way to sut a cake?
 * Why four o'clock can be the time for some mathematical headaches
 * 11 How can I win without cheating?
 * Almost everything in life can be analysed as a game
 * 12 Who's the best in the world?
 * The mathematics behind sports rankings
 * 14 What happened to chapter 13?
 * Can bad luck be explained?
 * 15 Whodunnit?
 * Everyday logic, from murder mysteries to parliamentary debates
 * 16 Why am I always in traffic jams?
 * Motorways, escalators and supermarkets all have one thing in common: queues
 * 17 Why are showers too hot or too cold?
 * From squealing microphones to population explosions
 * 18 How can I get the meal ready on time?
 * Critical paths and other scheduling problems
 * 19 How can I entertain the kids?
 * Numbers can be magic


 * References and Further Reading
 * Index