MATHS IN THE PAPERS Maths and Statistics Jul-Sep 2002

Odd Numbers
Defense

8 countries are known to have nuclear warheads.

Iraq has 0 nuclear warheads.

The US has 6,144 nuclear warheads.

The US's National Missile Defence system, by 2015, will have cost $48.5bn.

Observer Magazine 29/9/02

Odd Numbers
Statistics, Medicine, Literacy

20% of UK population is under 16.

30,000 women seek fertility treatment in the UK every year.

23% of UK conceptions led to abortion in 2000, and in the same year 185,375 legal abortions were carried out in the UK.

119,000 book titles were published in 2001

33% of UK men didn't read a book in 2001.

Observer Magazine 22/9/02

Odd Numbers
Statistics, Children, finance

British home-owners owe an average of £53,950 on their mortgage.

A case of Chateau Margaux that cost £400 in 1991 is now worth £3,300.

Hazel trees flowered 23 days earlier this year than in 2001.

9m Britons regularly work out at a gym or health club.

The average child laughs 400 times a day.

The average adult laughs 15 times a day.

85% of children can spell Hogwarts correctly

32% of children can spell Shakespeare correctly.

Observer Magazine 15/9/02

Odd Numbers
Statistics

Only 65% of Miss Americas are genuine blonds.

65% of US wealth is owned by women.

78% of UK women are unhappy if a man pays for dinner.

90% of UK women expect men to hold open a door for them.

80% of UK residents expect to hear bad language in public. 98% are unhappy about it.

There are 117,500 stray dogs in Britain.

Observer magazine 1/9/02

Asylum statistics
Statistics

Asylum statistics for the second quarter of 2002 have been published. Figures show that the target of deciding 60 per cent of all new substantive cases within 2 months has been reached.

The statistics, which cover the period April to June 2002, show continued improvements in the management of cases, despite a rise in the overall number of applications.The statistics showed that:

applications have increased slightly on the last quarter from 19,520 to 20,400;

decisions were being made more quickly;

a record number of appeals were determined (15,525) and 75 per cent of initial decisions were upheld;

a record number of failed asylum seekers were removed (3,120 including dependants)

there were 17,485 applications for National Asylum Support Service support.

Immigration Minister, Beverley Hughes 30/8/02

Alcohol consumption in Norway
Statistics

In 2001 each inhabitant of Norway older than 14 years consumed 63.8 litres beer, 1.1 litres less than in 2000. Norwegians consumed 229.7 million litres beer last year, a decline of 2.9 million litres compared with 2000.The figures are calculated on the basis of the monthly questionnaires that each business sends to the Directorate of Customs and Excise (TAD) and registered import. The figures do not include Norwegian private citizens' purchase of alcohol abroad.5.5 litres of alcohol per capita

Each inhabitant of Norway older than 14 years consumed 5.5 litres of alcohol last year, a slight decline compared with 2000.13.5 litres of wine per capita

The consumption of wine amounted to 48.6 litres, or 13.5 litres per capita.

Statistics Norway 26/8/02

www.pm.gov.uk

Weather for August
Statistics

Another generally warm month across the UK, with most places having mean temperatures 1 to 2 °C above normal. Sunshine values close to or just below normal, with above average rainfall across eastern Scotland and north-east England.On the 1st, Fylingdales had 115 mm in 24 hours, their wettest day (09 to 09) since records began in 1984. There were localised floods on the 7th in the London area, with some places receiving 60 mm in just one hour.

www.met-office.gov.uk August 2002

Visitors to Fiji
Statistics

Total overseas visitors to Fiji increased by 13% in the month of August 2002 with visitors from New Zealand up 8%. Total arrivals in the year ended August were recorded at 386,919 - up 70,000 visitors or 22% on the twelve months ended August 2001. New Zealand accounted for 18% of all overseas visitors in the twelve-month period - down by more than two.

Fiji Visitors Bureau August 2002