Numbers Guide: The Essentials of Business Numeracy, Fifth Edition

by Richard Stutely

Designed as a companion to The Economist Style Guide , the best-selling guide to writing style, The Economist Numbers Guide is invaluable to anyone who wants to be competent and able to communicate effectively with numbers.

In addition to general advice on basic numeracy, the guide points out common errors and explains the recognized techniques for solving financial problems, analysing information of any kind, and effective decision making. Over one hundred charts, graphs, tables, and feature boxes highlight key points. Also included is an A–Z dictionary of terms covering everything from amortization to zero-sum game .

Whatever your business, The Economist Numbers Guide will prove invaluable.

Genres: Business, Economics, Finance, Nonfiction, Mathematics, Reference, Buisness

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 1998

Reviews

[Alaeddin Hallak]

Some interesting insights:

A percentage increase followed by the same percentage decrease does not leave you where you started; it leaves you worse off.

Take care to only round the numbers after making any calculations. It makes a difference.

A straight line between two points on a chart can conceal a winding path between them.

[Tim Nowotny]

A really good book to get an overview. Years and years of school in a couple of hundred pages.

[Sylvester]

The book started off being quite basic, but then it introduced more financial maths and decision making skills which were greatly helpful for me who had no experience in finance. I shall be using it until I familiarize myself with the terms.

[Pablitomix Online]

This book is most interesting in the world

[Lolo]

This is a very brief overview. It could help someone to remember some of the basics, but I’m not sure it will help someone not familiar with these concepts.

I wouldn’t recommend this book

[Ying Ying]

This is a book that covers basic math concepts, statistics and decision making maths. While it does a great job explaining fundamental arithmetics, algebra and statistics, when it covers decision making maths, it feels too condensed. I would have loved more examples and applications.
It contains a useful A-Z dictionary and a good index.

[Tim Nowotny]

A really good guide through all the mathematics you will need in normal business life. The writing is even a bit entertaining in parts.
The only problem that I found was that you are really easily lost between the methods you already know (skimmed through them) and the ones you do not know (read obviously with more intensity)

[Kate]

Highly recommended, based what I've read so far. I'm not a quant jock, but this covers all the gaps I needed to fill.

[Kiragu]

Absolutely essential. Well done!