You Have the Right to Remain Unsure - Dr Sam Tickle
25th November 2023
The courtroom can sometimes feel as far removed as it is possible to be from the world of pure, rigorous mathematics. However, given the inherent uncertainty in judging guilt or innocence, numerical arguments can play a crucial role in establishing a level of confidence in the minds of judge and jury.
We'll discuss some famous (and infamous) cases of maths in the courtroom, as well as some of the classic logical traps that any self-respecting mathematician-turned-lawyer must avoid.
Ultimately, we'll try to address the question: just how certain do we need to be?