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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. Paulos believes that elementary schools lack ______ in their curriculum?

2. Math is ________.

3. At what age did the second doctor think he would die?

4. Which of the following is rationalized?

5. What do people often use to rationalize things?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what areas of one's life is estimation important?

2. How common is innumeracy? What is the opinion of the general population regarding the subject?

3. Why is the innumeracy in this case surprising to many?

4. What is the discussion regarding the number of certainties involved in math?

5. What other fallacies were contributed by Freud?

6. Why is estimation important? Who does it affect?

7. What is Paulos' quote regarding innumeracy and pseudoscience?

8. Discuss the story of the student, the professor, and UFOs.

9. How is it possible for people to ignore false outcomes in regards to probabilities?

10. What are the most obvious causes of innumeracy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a 1,000-word essay on how probabilities are used in your every day life. Include predictions as well as results for whatever event you choose. Create your own theories and test methods.

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 564 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample