Maths in a minute: Very big and very small numbers
The way we perceive the world shapes how we act. If we see that the climate is changing, we might feel more inclined to recycle or consume less. If we see petrol prices rising, we might drive less or walk and bike more. Numbers in relation to risks have a similar effect on us regardless of what the number represents.
For example, if 0.1% of the global population suffers from a genetic disease, you might not see it as a high priority for medical research. If, however, you hear that a condition affects 8 million people in the world, it might feel much more urgent to find a cure. Larger numbers often stimulate a stronger “wow” factor, or panic response.
Which number is most appropriate depends on the circumstances. If you are wondering about the risk of having the genetic disease, knowing there are 8 million people out there probably doesn’t help. In contrast, knowing that (given a global population of about 8 billion) it means about 1 in 1000 people are affected can help you understand your personal risk.
It could be you - but almost certainly isn’t
Lottery tickets and scratch cards constantly tell us we’re just a small step away from being millionaires. But what are the actual chances of hitting the jackpot?
The odds of winning the Euromillions lottery are one in 139 million (139,838,160, to be exact), or a probability of 0.000000007 per ticket. Which number registers more with you as giving you a good feeling that you’ll be set for life? While someone will definitely win (eventually) and, theoretically, it could be you, in practice, you're probably more likely to die before the next draw than be the winner.
When thinking about risk, try presenting the same information in different ways, using both large and small numbers, and notice how it changes perception. If you are a communicator and your goal is to give people a good understanding of their risks or chances, then how you frame odds is influential.
About this article
Jasmine Fischbach is studying Economics and International Business Student at Knoxville, Tennessee in the United States. In spring 2026 she completed an internship with Sense about Science, an independent charity that promotes the public interest in sound science and evidence.