The secret is out!

BRITISH Waterways uses a little known branch of mathematics usually attributed to a Roman mathematician Bigus Numero, writes Ralph Freeman.

His algorithm lay unused for centuries but then was discovered, and it is believed, formed the basis of what we now call 'Marketing'.

No real data

This mathematical process enable large rounded numbers to be generated from practically no real data. Another property of this algorithm is the more often you use this formula the bigger the numbers get.

Now can you see the relevance to British Waterways?

As an example a large flock of Canada geese had collected in this field alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal. By repeated use of the Bigus Numero algorithm I calculated there must have been something in the region of 300,000 birds in that one field alone!