galactus said:
Nah. Churchill.
Some people are heralded as great geniouses when they show simple algebra tricks. This can be exposed easily.
In the grocery store, the larger package is usually assumed to be the better deal. It isn't always. Simple arithmetic can save you from this one.
There is a whole breadth of junk science based on faulty mathemathics and questionable statistical methods. A little background can defend this.
Self-serving reactionaries can make wonderful claims. The astute student can see through many such claims.
Interest rates are a difficult issue. Who REALLY knows what is being paid and what should be paid? The U.S. State of Georgia used to have a law about interest rate terms. They were required to have available better terms for the consumer. They were NOT required to mention the availability. The astute student can understand the difference.
I received an entirely incorrect billing from a mortgage company. I proved them wrong and pursued it with my state's Attorney General's office. It was across states, so federal agencies became involved. I was right. I had the background. They apologized vigorously.
A doctor once tried to kill one of my kids. I drew the doctor some lovely graphs of sigmoidal dosage responses correlated with observable phenomena. He believed the authoritative representation of the situation and discontinued the supposedly innocuous medication.
The world is full of folks hoping to take advantage of others. A good background in mathematics is an exceptionally valuable tool against such.
