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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Notation makes more sense than?
(a) Nothing.
(b) Diagrams.
(c) Words.
(d) Calculations.

2. Which of the following is not in the list of things over which people become obsessed?
(a) Coincidence.
(b) Fate.
(c) Irony.
(d) Synchronicity.

3. People seem to have the most trouble when dealing with what area of numbers?
(a) Tens.
(b) Hundreds.
(c) Millions.
(d) Thousands.

4. What percentage of rain is referenced?
(a) 25%.
(b) 40%.
(c) 50%.
(d) 75%.

5. Paulos believes that the theory may seem:
(a) Stupid.
(b) Elementary.
(c) Illogical.
(d) Superfluous.

Short Answer Questions

1. What theory states that any number, no matter how large, can be achieved by adding smaller numbers together?

2. In what year was the discovery made?

3. Which group does this coincidence often apply to?

4. Who made one of the most important and yet simple mathematical discoveries?

5. What makes Paulos crazy about major math mistakes.

Short Essay Questions

1. How is that encounter explained?

2. What is the coincidence surrounding Christopher Columbus?

3. Which famous doctor does Paulos introduce first? What is the doctor's opinion?

4. What amusing example does Paulos use to illustrate the misunderstanding of numbers?

5. Where does the author believe most people fit in?

6. How was the situation in the story handled? How did it involve probability?

7. The first example Paulos uses about percentages relates to weather forecasters. What is the mistake?

8. How does Paulos compare misuse of language to the misuse of calculating probability?

9. What is the last principle discussed in chapter 1?

10. What would be one of the easiest ways to reduce or eliminate errors?

(see the answer keys)

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