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Millions, Billions, Zillions: Defending Yourself in a World of Too Many Numbers

Millions, Billions, Zillions: Defending Yourself in a World of Too Many Numbers

Current price: $17.80
Publication Date: November 10th, 2020
Publisher:
Princeton University Press
ISBN:
9780691209098
Pages:
176
Usually Ships in 1 to 5 Days

Description

An essential guide to recognizing bogus numbers and misleading data

Numbers are often intimidating, confusing, and even deliberately deceptive--especially when they are really big. The media loves to report on millions, billions, and trillions, but frequently makes basic mistakes or presents such numbers in misleading ways. And misunderstanding numbers can have serious consequences, since they can deceive us in many of our most important decisions, including how to vote, what to buy, and whether to make a financial investment. In this short, accessible, enlightening, and entertaining book, Brian Kernighan teaches anyone--even diehard math-phobes--how to demystify the numbers that assault us every day. Giving you the simple tools you need to avoid being fooled by dubious numbers, Millions, Billions, Zillions is an essential survival guide for a world drowning in big--and often bad--data.

About the Author

Brian W. Kernighan is professor of computer science at Princeton University. His many books include Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security (Princeton).