It is interesting. This is a prime example of how stats can be really useful. If you were selectively revising for an exam (as I did at university) you could evaluate what proportion of the paper you need to prepare for to have a good chance of success.

 

If you're a gambler, a little bit of research will show that your money is better placed on the football pools than the National Lottery.

 

etc etc.

 

Stats are also used and abused daily to confuse and mislead people ... the media quoting misleading survey results to twist us round to whatever opinion they want us to have ... women's cosmetics adverts bandying around meaningless numbers to give their products more credibility ... lawyers using dubious figures to back up DNA evidence...

To be fair you'd be better off spending the time revising rather than working out how you should revise selectively.

 

Lies, damned lies and statistics as they say.

QUOTE (LiquidEyes @ Apr 16 2004, 13:10)

It is interesting. This is a prime example of how stats can be really useful. If you were selectively revising for an exam (as I did at university) you could evaluate what proportion of the paper you need to prepare for to have a good chance of success. If you're a gambler, a little bit of research will show that your money is better placed on the football pools than the National Lottery. etc etc. Stats are also used and abused daily to confuse and mislead people ... the media quoting misleading survey results to twist us round to whatever opinion they want us to have ... women's cosmetics adverts bandying around meaningless numbers to give their products more credibility ... lawyers using dubious figures to back up DNA evidence...

Otherwise known as "exam technique".

 

When you get the choice of sections in an exam, it makes it so much easier because you can cut your revision in half.