Numbers Rule Your World: The Hidden Influence Of Probabilities And Statistics On Everything You Do (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
A good, introductory book to the use of statistics and probabilities in every day life. Written in a way that is easy even for innumerate people to understand. It's certainly not a text book on statistics, but rather, through stories and real-life examples the author explains to the reader how numbers have changed our lives...for better or for worse. There are some nice little golden nuggets to take away that anyone can apply, such as the importance of variability when it comes to averages.My biggest issue with the book though is that I enjoyed the introduction and conclusion far more than the actual chapters themselves. I felt that the chapters were a little too story oriented without enough commentary on statistics, probabilities, errors, inference, etc. Nevertheless, it's a solid book that is quick to get through from an author that writes a great blog. You don't need to be a "numbers person" (read: geek) to enjoy the fantasic and mind-boggling things some really smart people do with them. Fung manages to make the book an entertaining and speedy read while still boggling your mind with the secret statistics behind life's regular events.And more importantly, this book could finally put the lottery debate to bed once and for all. Meaning, yes - it is silly to waste money on lotto tickets because the chances of winning or so, so slim.
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"Good book to understand how statistics can help in creating a fair, just and efficient society."
—eve
