# Browsing category ask uncle colin

## Ask Uncle Colin: These percentages don’t add up!

Dear Uncle Colin, I'm a bit confused! Someone told me that 40% of all Americans on welfare are black, which means that 66% of black Americans are on welfare. How did they work this out? I don't get it, and it's bothering me. -- Always Back Equality Legistlation Hi, ABEL!

## Ask Uncle Colin: These alcohol-related figures look a bit fuzzy

Dear Uncle Colin, I was recently on a tour of a whisky distillery where the guide told us about the 'angel's share': every year, 2% of the alcohol in a bottle evaporates. He went on to explain that a 25-year-old single malt would have half the alcohol it did originally.

## Ask Uncle Colin: Is the Fibonacci series witchcraft?

Dear Uncle Colin, I read somewhere that if you work out $\frac{1}{999,999,999,998,999,999,999,999}$, you get the Fibonacci sequence. Is that really true? Is there witchcraft at work? -- Feeling Inspired By Ordinary Numbers; Arithmetic Calculation Can Intimidate! Hi, FIBONACCI! First, to put your mind at rest, there's no witchcraft at work

## A student asks: how do I manage nerves in my exam?

A student asks: "I've got my calculator paper coming up -- I'm not really struggling with anything, I just get nervous! How can I make sure I do as well as I know I can? That’s a great question! First up: keep reminding yourself that you don’t really struggle with