Statistics

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Statistics has a bad rap.

I’m here to speak up for statistics and mathematics.

On February 22 2011 an earthquake rocked the city of Christchurch in New Zealand.

Early (24 hours) reports told of 65 dead. We know that figure may well rise as rubble is cleared.

Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand .

The population of New Zealand is 4,315,800.

The population of the U.S.A. is 307,006,560

The U.S.A.’s second largest city is Los Angeles.

How would you feel if 4,624 people died in Los Angeles?

Do the math for your own country.

It isn’t difficult.

But it will help you put the New Zealand news in perspective.

(February 24 2011) The toll has risen to 98 , so …

• think in terms of 7,000 dead in Los Angeles.

(February 25 2011) The toll has risen to 145 , so …

• think in terms of 10,315 dead in Los Angeles.

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