View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The author believes people need to learn how to understand _______.
(a) Geometry.
(b) Higher math concepts.
(c) Large numbers.
(d) Algebra.

2. According to the text how many adults are there in the US?
(a) 300 million.
(b) 100 million.
(c) 250 million.
(d) 200 million.

3. What did the explorer discover?
(a) Fountain of Youth.
(b) Polio vaccine.
(c) Spice Islands.
(d) America.

4. How many outfits can be created according to Paulos?
(a) 3.
(b) 9.
(c) 12.
(d) 6.

5. What is another name for those not proficient in math?
(a) Morons.
(b) Illiterates.
(c) Innumerates.
(d) Uneducated.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many bricks are in the wall?

2. What percentage of rain is referenced?

3. Paulos jokes about how many hamburgers?

4. What stadium is referenced?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the coincidence surrounding Christopher Columbus?

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

4. What is the example used by Paulos to demonstrate the connections between people?

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

6. What is Paulos' suggestion for making math more understandable to the general public?

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

8. Why do people tend to be fascinated by coincidences?

9. How is that encounter explained?

10. How would embracing scientific notation help people with large numbers?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 524 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample