Think of a Number (1978)
Synopsis
A light-hearted exploration of maths and science, presented by Johnny Ball.
Network
BBC One
Episodes
Episode 1
Johnny Ball, with the help of a studio audience, will show some mind-stretching models, blistering ballistics, lightning calculations and some shocking ways to store your energy - and let it go.
Episode 2
This week Johnny discovers why hands are so handy, how to make sense of your senses, automate an automaton and how bionic a bionic man can be. Meanwhile - Think of a Number - How many times can you take 3 from 24 ?
Materials
This week Johnny looks at family trees, works out how to get rid of a boomerang, puts nylon in an endless spin and turns a fossil back into a dinosaur with the aid of an element that never forgets. Meanwhile - Think of a Number - a half is a third of it - what's the number ?
Water
Lots of giggles and quite a few gurgles as Johnny explores water from H to O. Meanwhile - Think of a Number. At a quick guess, which set of numbers has the larger total ?
The Shape of Wealth
This week Johnny discovers some dicey things about dice and a number over a thousand miles long; also something heavy about gold and cutting about diamonds. Meanwhile - Think of a Number. By using two minus and one plus signs make this all add up! 123456789 = 10
Episode 6
This time Johnny considers why the Earth is in a flat spin; talks about what makes tocks tick and how to gain on the swings and roundabouts. So meanwhile - Think of a Number - Divide 50 by a half and add three. What's the answer ?
Cast
Details
Original Title
Think of a Number
Status
Ended
Seasons
5
Episodes
30
Production
BBC Bristol Productions