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The MAA in my title stands for "Master of Actuarial Arts". As an aside, I have a pretty thorough understanding on both probability and statistics. I taught both on a college level.
I always find it interesting when anyone without a statistics degree interprets statistics or evaluates another persons interpretation of the same numbers. Many of these interpretations are quite helpful but all have to be considered with caution.
The first question that I like to ask someone claiming to understand or interpret statistics is: "What is a statistic?". Many people think that statistics are numbers but what exactly is the mathematical definition of a statistic. You won't find it in the dictionary. How can we talk about something without even the most basic definition of what it is?
Stay tuned, if interested, for the definition in an upcoming issue of the LML.
From: Brent Regan <brent@regandesigns.com>
Terrence writes:
<<Have you researched accident data (like I did) and found that the airlines report safety in terms of passenger miles? Is a 747 with 500 passengers 500 times safer than one with just crew? And since that's obviously a lying statistic, >>
Don't you just love statistics. Of the "lower" branches of mathematics it is one of the least understood, and consequently, most abused.
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Remember, with statistics two plus two can be any number you want it to be, depending on how you define the conditions.
Regards
Brent Regan
--
Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, DynaComm, Corp.
248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.ws
LNC2, O-320-D1F, 1,200 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan
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