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

2. How many seats are there in the stadium?
(a) 1,259.
(b) 962.
(c) 1,058.
(d) 1,104.

3. Why do people notice the coincidences?
(a) Look for patterns.
(b) Someone points them out.
(c) Focus on bad things.
(d) Focus on wins.

4. Paulos believes that most people fall where in their mathematical understanding?
(a) Bottom 10%.
(b) Lower quadrant.
(c) Top 10%.
(d) Middle.

5. Where do the two people meet?
(a) Bar.
(b) Business trip.
(c) Restaurant.
(d) Mall.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is the stadium located?

2. What is one of the most misunderstood items according to Paulos?

3. What did the Italian scientist discover?

4. Who is the first doctor mentioned?

5. What word does the author use to describe mathematical errors?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who was the mathematician responsible for discovering one of the most important discoveries?

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

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

6. How is that encounter explained?

7. The author believes that people are often obsessed by what topics?

8. Examine the first story told by Paulos in this chapter.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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