Various Situations with Misleading Statistics - Math Problem Example

Statistics can mislead people because they fail to represent single elements in the entire population (Bluman, 2005). This paper will consider the instances in which statistics can mislead people. “For every hundred women, 91 have taken the road less travelled” is a statement that represents a misleading statistic. From this statement, “the road less traveled” appears to offer readers an escape from daily life. The 91 per cent statistic appears to be an attractive statistic, but it is blatantly untrue.

This statistic manipulates readers in the following ways: drawing readers in and piquing their curiosity by an implication that the advertisement will show the choices that 91 percent of women will make, presenting the readers with a situation to compare themselves with the 91 percent of women, and the statistic tries to add credibleness to the advertisement (Bluman, 2005). This shows that 91 per cent of women purchase the product that is under advertisement, which enables readers to compare themselves with these women.

The statistics can also make readers believe that the scientific study of the choices has undergone completion (Bluman, 2005). However, it is impossible for the reader to tell the meaning of 91 per cent statistic in practical terms. “In a recent article, the author states that 71 per cent of adults do not use sunscreen” is another statement that represents a misleading statistic. There are a number of potential reasons as to why this statement could mislead readers. The readers may undergo temptation to assume that the author was referring to those individuals who do not use sunscreen while the sun is hot, but the author did not have the same implication (Bluman, 2005).

Readers can ask themselves the following questions: What is the author talking about? Why did the writer write about not using Sunscreen? Does it mean the availability of sunscreen is in limited supply for every person who would like to wear it? Does it mean the author has a company that distributes and sells sunscreen? Does it mean that the author is warning people against skin cancer? Does it mean that the author wrote an article with the intention of building a resume? Another question that readers may ask is the ‘when’ question.

When does the 71 per cent of the adults not use sunscreen? Is it on vacation, when the adults are at work, when the adults go to bed at night, or when the adults are watching movies? Readers can also ask the ‘where’ question while trying to find what the author implies. Where do adults not use sunscreen? When the adults are at the office, when they are travelling in the sun, or when they are watching movies at home. It is not necessary for most adults to wear sunscreen when they have normal eyesight (Bluman, 2005).