Proofiness

How You're Being Fooled by the Numbers

Charles Seife

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English

Penguin Books
27 September 2011

Mathematics & Sciences; Philosophy of mathematics; History of mathematics; Impact of science & technology on society

"From the author of Zero, comes this ""admirable salvo

against quantitative bamboozlement by the media and the government""

(The Boston Globe)

In Zero, Charles Seife presented readers with a thrilling

account of the strangest number known to humankind. Now he shows

readers how the power of skewed metrics-or ""proofiness""- is being used

to alter perception in both amusing and dangerous ways. Proofiness is

behind such bizarre stories as a mathematical formula for the perfect

butt and sprinters who can run faster than the speed of sound. But

proofiness also has a dark side: bogus mathematical formulas used to

undermine our democracy-subverting our justice system, fixing

elections, and swaying public opinion with lies. By doing the real

math, Seife elegantly and good-humoredly scrutinizes our growing

obsession with metrics while exposing those who misuse them."

By: Charles Seife
Imprint: Penguin Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 201mm, Width: 132mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 265g
ISBN: 9780143120070
ISBN 10: 0143120077
Pages: 295
Publication Date: 27 September 2011
Recommended Age: From 18 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active