1st Edition

Slippery Math In Public Affairs Price Tag And Defense

By William J. Adams Copyright 2002

    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.

    PART ONE SLIPPERY NUMBERS IN THE PUBLIC ARENA 1 Boldfaced Lies 2 Something's Amiss 10 It Sounds Good, But . . . 3 Coming Up with the Numbers 4 Political and Ideological Coloring 5 Numbers, Numbers, Everywhere 6 There's Less to It Than Meets the Eye 7 Lessons from Chapters 1 to 6 PART TWO MATH MODEL PORTRAITS Introduction 8 What's the Cost of Smoking? 9 Andy and Rasa Take Vacations 10 Math Model Development 11 As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap 12 Hyperbole and Hype 13 Lessons from Chapters 8 to 12 PART THREE THE PRICE TAG Introduction 14 The Numbers You Don't Know Can Hurt You 191 Side Effects? What Side Effects? 15 Consequences of Math Fiction, PART FOUR PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: EDUCATION 211 Introduction 212 16 Mathematics Education

    Biography

    Williams J Adams