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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. What is not a common aid used to teach math?

2. Paulos likes to debunk which of the following?

3. Children often fear what?

4. What is the term for knowing something before it happens?

5. What is stronger than gravity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the downfall of technology in regards to innumeracy?

2. What are the most obvious causes of innumeracy?

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

4. Why was Freud's calculation incorrect? What was overlooked?

5. How did Paulos overcome his early negative experiences in math?

6. What is Paulos' assertion regarding the principle of threes?

7. Who is used as Paulos' example of educated innumerates? What is the person known for in the scientific world?

8. How does Paulos relate this theory to Freud and the prediction of the great doctor's death?

9. How does Paulos explain the famous monkey/Shakespeare probability example?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Paulos takes issue with the lack of proper focus on the skill of estimation. Examine Paulos' reasoning about the importance of estimation. In your eyes, is estimating an important skill? Explain. What can be gained by making estimations? How do you know when your sample group is large enough? Is it determined by the activity or question or are all sample groups the same size? What are the most common mistakes made when estimating? Can you prove the answer arrived upon is correct or incorrect? How? Create at least five examples of estimation as they might be found in every day situations.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast causation and correlation as seen by Paulos. Give examples of correct and incorrect uses. What are the most common errors? How can the errors be corrected and the misuse resolved?

(see the answer keys)

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