How are Percentages Used and Abused?

Percentages are used everywhere. From discounts in shops to stories about the efficacy of a new drug. It is perhaps this widespread usage that makes us so susceptible to misinterpreting them. Of course retailers want you to think you're getting a better deal than you are. But it is always a good idea to think carefully about any percentage presented to you and work out what it means.

Let's be curious and ask, 'how are percentages used?'

How are Graphs Manipulated? Skewed Statistics 3

Graphs are useful to present a sets of data in a visually appealing way whilst still containing all the information. Last week in the Skewed Statistics series, we looked at correlation and causation, a topic which often includes graphs. We saw then how data can be manipulated to imply causation. Graphs, too, are easily manipulated. Sometimes this is to make the data easier to read or understand. Other times this manipulation can mislead. It is important to know how graphs are used and abused.

Let's be curious and ask, 'how are graphs manipulated?'

What is e?

Less well known than it's popular friend, pi, e is nonetheless a very important number. Approximately equal to 2.718, Euler's number pops up in everything from finance to hats!

But what is it? Let's be curious and ask 'what is e?'

Correlation or Causation? Skewed Statistics 2

Last week we looked at averages and saw how they can be abused. This week we turn our attention to correlation and causation. Correlations are probably the most abused statistical entity, particularly by pseudo-science and disreputable media.

Let's be curious and ask 'correlation or causation?'.

What is i?

Last week we spoke about the irrational, but very real, pi. Today we're going to take a look at the number i, where the i means 'imaginary'.

It is very likely that you won't have come across i before. It isn't generally taught at GCSE, being reserved for A-Level and above. Although I'd heard of it before, the first time I properly met this number was this year during my Chemistry degree.

Let's be curious and ask, 'what is i?'

Which Average Should I Use? Skewed Statistics 1

Statistics are quoted all the time in the media. However, sometimes the media, accidentally or otherwise, can skew statistics such that they lie. In many of these cases the statistic is technically correct, but presented in a misleading manner. Skewed Statistics is series of articles, posted on Saturdays, about how different types of statistics should be used, and how they are misused.

Averages are one of the most common types of statistic used. We all probably remember being taught about the different types of averages in school: mean, median, mode, and range. But do we actually know when we should use each type?

Let's be curious and ask, 'which average should I use?'

What is Pi?

Pi is a number that everyone has heard of. It is a staple of our maths education from a fairly early age. Some may recall it is approximately 3.14. That funny looking symbol, π is engraved in our minds, but what actually is it? What are the practical uses for it? And what on earth is an 'irrational number'?

Let's be curious and ask, 'what is pi?'

How Big is a Billion?

Counting is easy, right? When we were very young, we were taught to count in terms of apples or blocks or something like that: one apple, two apples, three apples, and so on. It is easy to imagine three apples. It doesn't require much effort to imagine ten apples. Imagining a hundred apples requires a bit more effort, but isn't too tough.

Now try to image a billion apples. What are you thinking of? A room filled with apples? A concert hall filled with apples? Let's be honest with ourselves, and admit that imagining a billion apples is hard. So, how do we go about imagining a billion apples?