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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. Innumerates are more likely to believe in what?

2. What great writer is mentioned in this chapter?

3. What is Paulos' favorite pseudoscience?

4. Most prevalent scenario involving innumerates includes what?

5. Which doctor was the inventor's good friend?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is the author's opinion of parapsychology as a pseudoscience?

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

7. What are the most obvious causes of innumeracy?

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

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

10. What is another commonly overlooked skill in elementary math classes? Why is it an issue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the existence of numerates versus innumerates. Which are you? Explain why you chose that answer. Do you think it is accurate? Why? What proof do you have that you are the one you have chosen? Create an analysis of your closest friends and family members. Are they numerate or innumerate? What do numerates have in common? What do innumerates have in common? What is your theory on the commonalities?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Paulos' example of the weather forecaster and the common mistake made when predicting rain. Why is it incorrect? What would the correct answer be? What principle would you use to figure out the right answer? Is there any time when that type of innumerate thinking might be accurate? Give at least two examples of similar situations.

Essay Topic 3

Paulos tells a story of a man who is afraid of a bomb being aboard his airplane. Recount the story and the motive behind the man's actions. Does it make sense to you? According to Paulos' explanation, was it a logical or irrational move? What are the probabilities that the man was right? What are the odds that the bomb would go off in the man's briefcase? What might you have done in a similar situation?

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This section contains 673 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample