Table of Contents
Introduction ix
Math Error Number 1 Multiplying Non-Independent Probabilities
The Case of Sally Clark: Motherhood Under Attack 1
Math Error Number 2 Unjustified Estimates
The Case of Janet Collins: Hairstyle Probability 23
Math Error Number 3 Trying to Get Something From Nothing
The Case of Joe Sneed: Absent from the Phone Book 39
Math Error Number 4 Double Experiment
The Case of Meredith Kercher: The Test That Wasn't Done 61
Math Error Number 5 The Birthday Problem
The Case of Diana Sylvester: Cold Hit Analysis 87
Math Error Number 6 Simpson's Paradox
The Berkeley Sex Bias Case: Discrimination Detection 107
Math Error Number 7 The Incredible Coincidence
The Case of Lucia de Berk: Carer or Killer? 121
Math Error Number 8 Underestimation
The Case of Charles Ponzi: American Dream, American Scheme 147
Math Error Number 9 Choosing A Wrong Model
The Case of Hetty Green: A Battle of Wills 167
Math Error Number 10 Mathematical Madness
The Dreyfus Affair: Spy or Scapegoat? 189
Conclusion 221
Sources 227
Credits 237
Index 239