Slippery math in public affairs : price tag and defense
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Slippery math in public affairs : price tag and defense
Marcel Dekker, c2002
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-239) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Highlighting how slippery numbers and questionable mathematical conclusions emerge and what can be done to safeguard against them, this book examines flawed usage of math in public affairs through actual cases of how mathematical data and conclusions can be distorted and misrepresented to influence public opinion. The author analyzes the cost of "slippery math" in terms of squandered resources and identifies common misperceptions about the role of math in public affairs. He discusses how math education can be reformed to sharpen public awareness of "slippery math", the development of math models and their use and misuse, and proper and improper polling methods.
Table of Contents
- Slippery numbers in the public arena: boldfaced lies
- something's amiss
- coming up with the numbers. Math model portraits: what's the cost of smoking
- Andy and Rasa take vacations
- math model development. The price tag: the numbers you don't knowcan hurt you
- consequences of math fiction. Preventative medicine - education: mathematics education.
by "Nielsen BookData"
