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Author Topic:   Innumeracy
MrHambre
Member (Idle past 1393 days)
Posts: 1495
From: Framingham, MA, USA
Joined: 06-23-2003


Message 1 of 1 (149615)
10-13-2004 8:01 AM


I've been reading a couple of books by mathematician John Allen Paulos. Innumeracy and Once Upon a Number are fascinating attempts to demystify mathematical theory and, consequently, to deflate the superstitions widely held in ignorance of probability.
Paulos's tone is light but his purpose is fairly serious. He makes a convincing case that innumeracy (his term for math-inability) is as serious a social problem as illiteracy. People who don't understand probability and the abuses of numbers fall prey to pseudoscientists, quacks, and stock scams. In some cases it is literally a matter of life or death: Paulos examines the way O.J. Simpson was acquitted through the manipulation of the innumerate by crafty lawyers.
The author at least understands that people's aversion to mathematics is based on its frequently counter-intuitive nature. He runs through several examples (probably common to math buffs) where the calculated probability of an event defies our common expectations. More often, he examines the invalid inferences and faulty logic that are used to trick the innumerate.
regards,
Esteban Hambre
{edited to correct spelling}
This message has been edited by MrHambre, 10-13-2004 05:39 PM

  
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