Mathematical Ignorance

Inability to deal with large numbers and probabilities leads people to many unfounded decisions — both on a global and everyday level. Due to mathematical ignorance, they allow the media to manipulate them, trust various pseudosciences, and become fearful of events that do not deserve special attention. Why even smart and educated people often do not understand mathematics at all and what the cost of such ignorance is — these are questions deeply concerning the author of this book.
John Allen Paulos examines various aspects of our lives from a mathematical perspective: presidential elections and statistics, securities manipulation and medical quackery, insurance and casinos, lotteries and clinical tests, — while not abusing complex calculations and not skimping on amusing stories that vividly illustrate the reflections on numbers and probabilities.
The book helps readers recognize their mistakes and teaches them to avoid the traps into which an uncritical mind easily falls. It is addressed to everyone who values common sense and strives for a rational view of the world.
The book is released with a review by Alexey Savvateev (Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, popularizer of mathematics among children and adults) and Mikhail Bochkov (Mathematics teacher).