Thank you for downloading from the BBC.

The details of our complete range of podcasts and our terms of use go to bbcworldservice.com slash podcasts.

This is more or less a slice of statistical lemon in the pleasant but confusing gin and tonic of media reporting.

This week we'll ask whether men really are more unfaithful than women.

Hello and welcome to more or less the world in numbers on the BBC World Service.

This week is it more likely that I'm cheating on my wife or that my wife is cheating on me,

although presumably I should know something about at least one side of that equation.

In fidelity, it happens.

Perhaps more often than many of us would like to imagine.

The adulterer's journey is a predictable one, moving from defiance.

I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

Two acceptance.

Indeed I did have a relationship with Mr. Lensky that was not appropriate.

But is it just as predictable that men are more inclined to commit adultery than women are?

It is a very commonly held belief that men are less faithful than women,

but it takes two to tango so can this be mathematically possible.

Fiona Woods has been, well actually what have you been doing Fiona?

I've been looking at the numbers Tim.

So that's your excuse for all those late nights at the office?

It is and be careful because everyone knows men have a bad track record in this area.

There's good evidence that men cheat more than women and this isn't just full-quistum.

Indeed, there is actual data and you've been looking at the American General Social Survey.

...