Statistical models, like those used to predict the weather, deal with uncertainty. This runs counter to our expectations for mathematics. Factor in a reliance on probabilities, which are deeply unintuitive, and it’s no wonder we find these models hard to understand. Nevertheless, they can actually be quite useful.
statistics
Science Reader Question: The Human Touch
Humans and statistical models both make errors sometimes. But we understand the human errors because we make the same kinds of mistakes, while statistical models can be wrong in surprising ways. Perhaps we think those errors are worse simply because they are different.
Science Reader Question: So You’d Like to Win a $1.5B Jackpot
We need to resist the urge to wonder “What are the odds this one specific person would have predicted this one drawing?!?!?” Instead, we should ask the statistical question: “Have enough predictions been made about enough lotteries to get positive results?”
Science Reader Question: Never Quote Me the Odds!
What distinguishes statistical modeling from New Age predictions? Plenty, but maybe not exactly what you’d intuit.
Improbability not equal to impossibility
I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with Zak Schmoll. I pray God’s blessing upon his labors as an assistant underwriter beginning of an MBA program with a desire to teach accounting blogging through the Bible one chapter at a time competing in power soccer (click here to see a picture). AND whatever else God has in store for […]