View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How many seats are there in the stadium?

2. What type of academic would most likely cringe over a misused word?

3. Which explorer is referenced?

4. Where is the stadium located?

5. Paulos believes that most people fall where in their mathematical understanding?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Paulos argue about the existence of coincidences?

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

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

5. What is the Archimedes Principle?

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

7. What is the example used to separate numerates from innumerates?

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

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

10. How is that encounter explained?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the purpose of polling? How is it done? What missteps can cause a poll to be inaccurate? How can the issue be resolved? Give at least three examples of polls, methods, and why they are important.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how technology affects a person's math skills. Is it okay to use technology at any time? What does Paulos believe technology encourages? Do you agree or disagree? Explain. What is the most effective way to use technology in regards to math? What do you think has been the most effective and/or significant invention in regards to technology and mathematics?

Essay Topic 3

Name at least five major or famous examples of probabilities and coincidences such as the Lincoln/Kennedy connection and the Columbus/Fermi correlation. Explain each in a coincidental sense and a probability sense.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 580 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample