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How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking

Questions About How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking

by Jordan Ellenberg

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Answered Questions (7)

Does this book work as an audio book or do you really need to see the calculations for it to make sense?
Dave I just finished it as an audiobook. I'd say that about 85% of it is just fine in audio. There were some parts where geometric diagrams would have been…moreI just finished it as an audiobook. I'd say that about 85% of it is just fine in audio. There were some parts where geometric diagrams would have been helpful and another part about elections wherein it was slightly difficult to follow the tables of numbers, but overall it's more theory than actual computations. Overall, you'll be fine in audio.

He actually states in the first few pages that the book isn't about doing math, but understanding and applying math. He tries to avoid complex computation since that's not his focus in the text.(less)
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In the chapter "A Note on the logarithm, and the flogartithm" (page 139) Jordan says: ln(1000)=4, ln(1mn)=7 and ln(1bn)=10. But according to my calculator it is: ln(1000)=6.9, ln(1mn)=13.8 and ln(1bn)=20.7 Whats wrong here?
Nitesh Kanthaliya ln(10000) is not equal to 4 but log(10000)=4. ln the former case log has base as e, but in the latter case, log has base 10. In calculator, when you p…moreln(10000) is not equal to 4 but log(10000)=4. ln the former case log has base as e, but in the latter case, log has base 10. In calculator, when you press ln, it takes base as e and hence the answer. Hope it clarifies.(less)
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A footnote from chapter 11 about the needles and slats states: "But this requires that the needle span the slat exactly; it is possible, but the probability that it happens is 0". I'm having a hard time understanding why the probability of the needle touching two cracks is zero. Could someone explain?
Greyson Intuitively the needle has an infinite number of positions in which it can lie touching zero or one cracks. The only case in which it spans the slat e…moreIntuitively the needle has an infinite number of positions in which it can lie touching zero or one cracks. The only case in which it spans the slat exactly is when it is perpendicular to the slat and the midpoint of the needle is directly between the cracks. This likelihood is vanishingly small compared to the entire set of possible orientations in which the needle will fall; hence, probability zero.(less)
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Missouri Shanahan The chances of winning the lottery are the same whether you play online or in the shop. The odds are set in the rules of the different lotteries and h…moreThe chances of winning the lottery are the same whether you play online or in the shop. The odds are set in the rules of the different lotteries and https://lottoalotto.co.za(less)
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Is this book actually about mathematics, as the title suggests, or is it about statistics, as the book description suggest?
Mary One might argue that statistics is a branch of applied mathematics. At many universities (but not UW-Madison where the author is a professor), statist…moreOne might argue that statistics is a branch of applied mathematics. At many universities (but not UW-Madison where the author is a professor), statistics is part of the math department. The author/reader is very good at explaining this applied math.(less)
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