RE: Statistical illiteracy
On Fri, 14 Dec 2001, Wuensch, Karl L wrote: I came across a table of costume jewelry at a department store with a sign that said 150% off. I asked them how much they would pay me to take it all off of their hands. I had to explain to them what 150% meant, and they then explained to me how percentages are computed in the retail trade: first we cut the price in half (50%). Then we cut it in half again. Now we have cut it in half a third time. 50% + 50% + 50% = 150% off. Interesting. Not altogether surprising, though. In a conversation with a local bank mortgage person, I explained that part of my income is in Canadian funds, deposited into my bank in Toronto, and the current exchange rate is (approximately) 1.50 (Canadian $ for each US $). She then wanted to calculate the equivalent US income by discounting the Canadian value by 50%. I pointed out that this was incorrect: one would discount the Canadian value by 33%. She said I hear what you're saying, but went on to indicate that it somehow wasn't relevant. I could not tell whether (a) she didn't believe me, (b) she didn't know how to deal with the arithmetic of exchange rates, (c) this is the way we do it here, (d) something else, or (e) a combination of the above. Whatever the case, I decided it would be the better part of valor to deal with another bank. But back to your retail trade: if they advertise a 150% discount directly, without referring to the sequence of three 50% discounts, might they not be liable to legal action for misrepresentation? -- DFB. Donald F. Burrill [EMAIL PROTECTED] 184 Nashua Road, Bedford, NH 03110 603-471-7128 = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Re: Statistical illiteracy in Assoc. Press
On Fri, 14 Dec 2001, Jill Binker wrote:
If remark about putting numbers on a single line is referring to:
They record the results of their mental calculations using a
horizontal format. For example, 86+57=86+50+7=136+7=143.
Then I see nothing wrong with this (and it has NOTHING to do with what
sorts of paper you bank will be sending you -- you're confusing purposes
here: what configuration helps young children learn v. what's the most
efficient way to present the story of the ebb and flow of my money).
...
Jill Binker
Fathom Dynamic Statistics Software
KCP Technologies, an affiliate of
Key Curriculum Press
1150 65th St
Emeryville, CA 94608
1-800-995-MATH (6284)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.keypress.com
http://www.keycollege.com
__
Sorry. You're right of course about the need for intuitive understanding.
I think I was particularly grouchy after a tough term, and too many
attempts to explain to students that in some circumstances about right
is not good enough, and that by starting and proceeding logically and
carefully they could be exactly right, often with less effort.
J.E.H.Shaw [Ewart Shaw][EMAIL PROTECTED] TEL: +44 2476 523069
Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/statsdept/Staff/JEHS/
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Re: biostatistics careers
I was about to respond along the same lines, but with genomics and genetic epidemiology entering the picture there's a certain truth to it. OTOH, not so much that I would characterize the field that way. Jerrold Zar wrote: Dennis Roberts: I wonder what makes you say what you did below. Are there some biostatistics textbooks that have given you that impression? Dennis Roberts [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11/19/01 10:48AM BW On Sun, 18 Nov 2001, Stan Brown wrote: What _is_ biostatistics, anyway? A student asked me, and I realized I have only a vague idea. well, one difference in bio stat is a strong emphasis on probability sorts of problems ... = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Transaction Anomaly on 9/11????
I recently read about German-based Convar helping cos. in NYC uncover the facts surrounding the unusual surge (both in volume and amounts) in financial transactions during immediately preceding the WTC disaster. Convar is using a laser scanning technology to recover data from computer hard drives, main frames, etc. for credit card cos. , telecom institutions, and accountants. The huge no. and size of transactions looks highly suspicious. OTOH, the U.S. could have gone on an absolutely wild shopping binge that day. Thinking damaged computers would be unable to track the money trail, some speculators may have moved approximately $100,000,000. Obviously, advance notice of the disaster would give savvy traders a field day. The problem is--- if such a blip was indeed the result of advanced knowledge and an unconscionable form of insider trading or just an unprecedented blip devoid of terrorist influence. What forms of statistical analyses could be employed to satisfy those with suspicion that such unusual events simply happen? Or, what methodologies can be used to estimate the probability of a very unusual event on a very unusual day. Is the notion of a conspiracy plausible? What statistical treatments, if any, would be apropos? I have some ideas, but would like others' views. Poisson applications? Differences in means (given similar uneventful day trading)? Any ideas or thoughts? One hopes it was simply an unusually heavy day, but it sure produces a wariness that those in the know profited from the misery of others. = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
RE: Statistical illiteracy
Don asked: But back to your retail trade: if they advertise a 150% discount directly, without referring to the sequence of three 50% discounts, might they not be liable to legal action for misrepresentation? Perhaps in the distant past, when our government attempted to protect the rights of consumers, but things seem a lot different now. ;-) Karl W. = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Short Course in Leicester
Apologies for cross-postings and to those of you have seen an advert elsewhere. This is just a reminder about a 3-day short course on Dealing with Data which I'm running at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK from 22nd to 24th January 2002. Details are as follows. This course covers the fundamentals of statistics, explaining underlying principles in a non-technical way. It builds up the basic ideas of statistics and data analysis for delegates with little or no previous knowledge of the subject. It is also a chance for delegates who were switched off when they first came across the subject. Our course develops in a non-technical way, making use of many numerical examples to explain the underlying principles. We make extensive use of MINITAB statistical software. This approach has been extremely successful with delegates (having backgrounds in chemistry, biology and engineering) on our MSc programme in Industrial Data Modelling. The topics covered will include: * Discrete and Continuous Data, Sample Measures, Grouped Data, Joint Frequency Table * Binomial, Poisson, Normal (Gaussian) and Negative Exponential (Time to Failure) Distributions * One and Two Sample Tests of Means, Variances and Proportions * Confidence Intervals, Power and Determination of Sample Size * Bivariate and Conditional Concepts, Independence, Covariance, Correlation Coefficient * Goodness of Fit Tests and Tests of Independence * Nonparametric Tests **Cost** The total fee is £600 (VAT free), to include registration, course materials, certificate of attendance, and coffee, lunch and tea each day. **Availability** Numbers are limited to 16. If you would like to register please contact myself in the first instance, quoting your name, company, address, telephone number, fax number and Email address. We have negotiated reduced rates with three local hotels (Best Western Belmont House Hotel, Jarvis Grand Hotel and Holiday Inn); please let me know if you would like more details. More information can be obtained from myself and/or found on our Web site at http://www.cms.dmu.ac.uk/Courses/MScIDM/ Feel free to pass this information to anyone you think might be interested. Since this course has been developed from the material in the first module of our distance-learning MSc/PGDip/PGCert/CPD programme in Industrial Data Modelling it is possible to upgrade to a full module credit and to register for the programme at a later date. If you would like more information on either the short course or our distance-learning programme just let me know. All the best. Colin. Colin James Programme Director - Industrial Data Modelling Faculty of Computing Sciences and Engineering De Montfort University Phone (+44) (0)116-250-6147 The Gateway Fax .. (+44) (0)116-250-6114 Leicester LE1 9BH Email(Personal) ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] UK Email(IDM) .. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cms.dmu.ac.uk/Courses/MScIDM/ = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
sPANISH aRTS sHARE
cONTEMPORARY pOETRY http://www.spanish-books.net/literature/contemp2p.htm sALVADOR dALI dRAWINGS : http://www.spanisharts.com/reinasofia/dalidibujos.htm aRT sHARE = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
