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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Where is the stadium located?

3. Each person knows approximately how many people?

4. What is Paulos' forte?

5. What is the probability of people being directly linked?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Archimedes Principle?

2. How is that encounter explained?

3. How does Paulos feel when people attempt to diagnose his personality by his astrological sign?

4. What do doctors often do that is mathematically incorrect?

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

6. What is the coincidence surrounding Christopher Columbus?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Paulos' definition of "Extreme Intellectual Lethargy." What is it? How is it described? Do you or anyone you know suffer from EIL? Explain. What are the symptoms? Are there any remedies for EIL? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Winning streaks are a big topic in regards to probabilities. What are Paulos' explanations regarding winning streaks? Which examples are used? Do you agree or disagree with Paulos? Explain. Use at least five examples of unnoticed winning or losing streaks compared to public perception and the correlation to mathematical principles.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the two theoretical results as discussed by Paulos. What are they? How can they be explained so that an innumerate could understand and apply the theories? Why are they important? How can the theories be proven? Provide at least five examples of each theory to illustrate your points.

(see the answer keys)

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