Calculated Tales
Calculated Tales is a BBC schools radio series from the 1980s, covering Mathematics for primary school pupils.
Simple dramatisations present pupils with problems to solve. The listeners then have to decide which information is relevant, what mathematical techniques to use, and how to solve the problems.
Six programmes broadcast in summer 1987 and summer 1988 were followed by six further episodes in summer 1989 using topics suggested by teachers who had used the first series, including a 2-part Whodunnit and a School Aid concert.
From autumn 1989 Calculated Tales became part of the umbrella series Operation Maths, which saw all 12 original episodes repeated and 8 new ones added including a sequel to School Aid.
Episode List
Including broadcasts as a standalone series and as part of Operation Maths (series 3).
| # | # | Title | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | |||
| 1. | (1) | A Dog's Life | 29 Apr 1987 |
| 2. | (2) | The Birthday Boy | 6 May 1987 |
| 3. | (3) | Baby Talk | 13 May 1987 |
| 4. | (4) | Search for Silver | 20 May 1987 |
| 5. | (5) | Going for Gold | 3 Jun 1987 |
| 6. | (6) | Madonna's Millions | 10 Jun 1987 |
| Series 2 | |||
| 7. | (1) | Whodunnit Part 1 | 27 Apr 1989 |
| 8. | (2) | Whodunnit Part 2 | 4 May 1989 |
| 9. | (3) | The Shopping Spree | 11 May 1989 |
| 10. | (4) | US Tour 89 | 18 May 1989 |
| 11. | (5) | Jackpot | 25 May 1989 |
| 12. | (6) | School Aid | 8 Jun 1989 |
| Series 3 | |||
| 13. | (1) | Long Hot Summer | 6 Nov 1989 |
| 14. | (2) | Trouble in Store | 6 Nov 1989 |
| 15. | (3) | School Aid 2 | 13 Nov 1989 |
| 16. | (4) | First Class | 13 Nov 1989 |
| 17. | (5) | In the Red | 20 Nov 1989 |
| 18. | (6) | The Till Street Times | 20 Nov 1989 |
| 19. | (7) | It's the Thought That Counts | 27 Nov 1989 |
| 20. | (8) | The Break-Time Café Company | 27 Nov 1989 |
Broadcasts
| Year | Term | Day | Time | Channel | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-87 | Summer 1987 | Wed | 11:40 | Radio 4 | 29 Apr to 10 Jun |
|
| 1987-88 | Summer 1988 | Thu | 11:50 | Radio 4 | 5 May to 16 Jun |
|
| 1988-89 | Summer 1989 | Thu | 11:50 | Radio 4 | 27 Apr to 8 Jun |
|
| 1989-90 | Autumn 1989, Spring & Summer 1990 | Mon | 14:20 | Radio 4 | 6 Nov to 27 Nov 12 Mar to 26 Mar 10 May to 21 Jun |
|
| 1990-91 | Spring 1991 | Wed | 09:15 | Radio 5 | 27 Feb to 20 Mar |
The series was broadcast from Welsh transmitters in the same terms but at different times on Radio Cymru.
Credits
| Written by | Alan Graham |
| Producer | Marshall Corwin |
Related programmes
- Maths with a StoryAn earlier series with maths problems presented in wacky stories set in Muddleville-on-the-Mud
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School topics covered in this programme. Click to find other programmes covering the same topics, but bear in mind topics are a new addition to the site in 2023 and not many are set up yet.
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