Does the population of the world fit on the Isle of Wight?

[Admin]

I've just been reading a book on statistics (I know how to get my kicks ) and the old saying that the entire population of the world could fit onto the Isle of Wight was used.

I just accepted it as true as there is a worked example. The IOW is 380Km2 so with 1 million square metres per square kilometre and 4 people per square metre then potentially 15 billion people could fit on the island.

So I tried to work it out another way. If the population of the world is 6.5 billion then we'd need 1.625 billion square metres or 1,625 square kilometres.

But we only have 380 square kilometres. ???

It turns out the book is wrong!! 380*1,000,000*4 is 1.5 billion not 15.

I've been telling everyone that the the population of the world could fit on the Isle of Wight but it can't. I guess I can admit the error as I can blame it on the book.

I was going to use this 'fact' as an entry in the commentary about how surprising some statistics can be. I'm glad I double checked the figures.

[Cuddles]

Of course, no science is good until confirmed by experiment. So, how do we persuade everyone to go to the Isle of Wight?

[Ginger Rogers]

Interesting subject since I live here on the Isle of Wight.

I wouldn't like to see it tried either :o

[Jocky]

If you want a British island which fits the bill better, how about the Isle of Skye? An area of 1,658 square kms (source) should allow everyone to squeeze on, and leave enough space to fit in the bar

[Admin]

I worked out that the county of Hertfordshire is a good fit as well but the Isle of Skye is a better substitute.

[Lord Muck oGentry]

If you want a British island which fits the bill better, how about the Isle of Skye? An area of 1,658 square kms (source) should allow everyone to squeeze on, and leave enough space to fit in the bar

Do not jostle my elbow, pray. I fear for the meniscus on my glass of Talisker. >:(