Textbook Incompetence
“A random sample of 50 pieces of plastic are being used 6mm these pieces of nylon rope are taken and the breaking strength (KN) is measured.” That, says Jason Richardson, a University of South Florida junior, is a quote from a textbook he bought for around $180, and he has no idea what it’s supposed to mean. Even the math in “The Joy of Statistics” is unreliable, he said: “We’re told CI equals CI divided by N, which wouldn’t make sense because you can’t divide CI by something to get CI.” Even better is publisher Kendall Hunt’s response when Richardson complained and asked for a refund: “I don’t think it’s fair that you unload 3 years of anger on my editor.” (AC/WFTS Tampa) ...If you really want to see math that doesn’t make sense, study the economics of higher education.Original Publication Date: 22 April 2012
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 18.
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 18.
Is There a Problem on This Page? Let Me Know using the Help button lower right, and thanks.
I believe humanity is held back by the lack of thinking. I provoke thought with examples of what happens when we don’t think, and when we do. This is True is my primary method: stories like this come out every week by email, and basic subscriptions are free. Click here for a subscribe form.
Previous: Maybe It Was a Whackjob
Next: How Do You Plead?