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How to Find Love Online

Episode 7 of 17

Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry uses Dr Xand van Tulleken as her guinea pig to test whether the algorithms that dating sites use to match people actually work.

Dr Xand van Tulleken is single and looking for love. Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry wants to use him as her guinea pig to test whether the algorithms that dating sites use to match people actually work.

While Hannah builds a dating site, Xand meets the scientists investigating online dating - and learns what pictures to use and what to write in his profile. He tries out a 'bot' that has automated a swiping app and has an MRI scan to find out whether his brain is equipped for love.

Fifty members of the public take part in some mini-experiments at a date night - and Xand goes on various dates to test whether the algorithm is better than him choosing randomly.

59 minutes

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Goldfrapp

    Ooh La La

  • 00:03

    Sidney Bechet

    Si Tu Vois Ma Mere

  • 00:05

    Rupert Holmes

    Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

  • 00:18

    Duran Duran

    Girls On Film

  • 00:31

    Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin & Gene Kelly

    New York, New York

  • 00:54

    The Psychedelic Furs

    Pretty In Pink

  • 00:45

    Goldfrapp

    Ooh La La

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Alexander van Tulleken
Presenter Hannah Fry
Series Editor Steve Crabtree
Director Helen Williamson
Producer Helen Williamson

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