Main content

Maths and the Mayflower

Rob Eastaway examines the mathematics of genealogy and asks whether there could really be 35 million descendants from the American Mayflower pilgrims.

This year sees the delayed 400th anniversary celebrations of the Mayflower voyage, an event seen as a crucial moment in the history of the United States. But how many people alive today can trace back their lineage to those first 102 passengers? Tim speaks to Rob Eastaway and Dr Misha Ewen about maths and the Mayflower.

Producer: Nathan Gower

(The replica ship Mayflower II sailing to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Mon 28 Jun 2021 09:50GMT
成人快手 World Service

More episodes

Previous

The origins of Covid

Next

Is Ivermectin a Covid 鈥榳onder drug鈥�?

See all episodes from More or Less

Broadcasts

  • Sat 26 Jun 2021 04:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service except East Asia & South Asia
  • Sun 27 Jun 2021 13:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service
  • Sun 27 Jun 2021 21:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service except East Asia & South Asia
  • Mon 28 Jun 2021 02:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service South Asia & East Asia only
  • Mon 28 Jun 2021 09:50GMT
    成人快手 World Service

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.