ABSTRACT

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 "s

chapter |3 pages

Part One

SLIPPERY NUMBERS IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

chapter 1|6 pages

Boldfaced Lies

chapter 2|13 pages

Something’s Amiss

chapter 3|26 pages

Coming Up with the Numbers

chapter 4|13 pages

Political and Ideological Coloring

CENSUS POLITICS

chapter 5|10 pages

Numbers, Numbers, Everywhere

“RIGHT” NUMBER TRAIL?

chapter 6|14 pages

There’s Less to It Than Meets the Eye

chapter 7|31 pages

Lessons from Chapters 1 to 6

MADNESS

chapter |3 pages

PART TWO MATH MODEL PORTRAITS

chapter 8|9 pages

What’s the Cost of Smoking?

chapter 9|7 pages

Andy and Rasa Take Vacations

chapter 10|10 pages

Math Model Development

chapter 11|16 pages

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

chapter 12|12 pages

Hyperbole and Hype

chapter 13|15 pages

Lessons from Chapters 8 to 12

part |2 pages

PART THREE THE PRICE TAG

chapter 14|8 pages

The Numbers You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

EFFECTS? WHAT EFFECTS?

chapter 15|12 pages

Consequences of Math Fiction

STATISTIC

part |2 pages

Part Four

chapter 16|7 pages

Mathematics Education

chapter |9 pages

Epilogue