Mathematical Thinking: Crash Course Statistics #2

Today we’re going to talk about numeracy - that is understanding numbers. From really really big numbers to really small numbers, it's difficult to comprehend information at this scale, but these are often the types of numbers we see most in statistics. So understanding how these numbers work, how to best visualize them, and how they affect our world can help us become better decision makers - from deciding if we should really worry about Ebola to helping improve fighter jets during World War II!

Episode Notes:

Tim Urban’s wonderful post about visualizing large numbers:

Some of our reading that inspired this episode:
How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg
Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and its Consequences by John Allen Paulos

Thanks to the following Patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:

Mark Brouwer, Nickie Miskell Jr., Jessica Wode, Eric Prestemon, Kathrin Benoit, Tom Trval, Jason Saslow, Nathan Taylor, Divonne Holmes à Court, Brian Thomas Gossett, Khaled El Shalakany, Indika Siriwardena, Robert Kunz, SR Foxley, Sam Ferguson, Yasenia Cruz, Daniel Baulig, Eric Koslow, Caleb Weeks, Tim Curwick, Evren Türkmenoğlu, Alexander Tamas, Justin Zingsheim, D.A. Noe, Shawn Arnold, mark austin, Ruth Perez, Malcolm Callis, Ken Penttinen, Advait Shinde, Cody Carpenter, Annamaria Herrera, William McGraw, Bader AlGhamdi, Vaso, Melissa Briski, Joey Quek, Andrei Krishkevich, Rachel Bright, Alex S, Mayumi Maeda, Kathy & Tim Philip, Montather, Jirat, Eric Kitchen, Moritz Schmidt, Ian Dundore, Chris Peters, Sandra Aft, Steve Marshall

Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?

[arnavchauhan]

I feel Mathematical Thinking requires and deserves an entire series of it's own! Please consider the idea. I'm sure it would be a big hit.

[tossedsalad]

im taking this next semester, and I’m watching this just to get an edge Lol

[khanyithegreat]

Can you use the metric system at least in brackets for international folks please.

[pranjalmittal]

That story about Abraham gave me goosebumps, Incredible genius !

[Mallory-Malkovich]

"Stay out of sand holes." This is what I learned today.

[EpsilonEridani_]

(6:41) Note to self -- return to this video on May 2nd, 2:23 and 33 seconds PM, 2021... less than a year left before that hedgehog sneezes

[xkilla]

i've only scrolled for a minute in the comment section and i can say with confidence that the statistics is that 99% of the comments are about no metric system

[greydcb]

I never comment on CC videos, but this video I just LOVED. Keep up the amazing work, and thank you for educating the world!

[maresgoez]

Acording to statistics more people use the metric system than the imperial system. -T H E - M O R E - Y O U - K N O W -

[nicolae]

i'm not into numbers at all like i tend to just zone out when i hear numbers just thrown into a sentence and then i get confused or stressed (obviously i cant stand math) but.... this video was definitely interesting and i did not zone out for one second. super informative and helpful! i'm currently struggling in a class teaching SPSS for Research Methods and i didn't have much background in stats (i forgot about it honestly) so thank you so much! will continue watching this series :)

[joaofortunato]

Great video and an awesome explanation of how understanding mathematics help us visualize the world better. But, my god, please, could you at least put a conversion to the Metric System on the animations?

[Je.rone_]

I've watched this series like 3 times but it's enjoyable

[gardenhead]

I get my exercise running away from snakes. Kill two birds with one stone

[disorganizedorg]

The ability to make a comment on YouTube is by no means an indication of literacy.

[akke_pakke]

I think this is as close as we can get to Crash Course: Maths

[takeabreak]

i love the fact you said that we should illuminate our questions by numbers, in state of taking care of numbers . so fascinating

[anthonyrandell]

I'm a huge fan of Crash Course and I've been looking forward to Statistics for a long time. This video in particular captures so much of what the world and individuals alike need to know to tackle problems and I feel it does a fair job of putting numbers into context. HOWEVER;

This episode was very noticeably American-centric (and not just the lack of metric units). Statistically, your view demographics may be largely American, but it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Firstly, you alienate the rest of the world. Secondly, if American audiences are only exposed to content tailored to the American psyche, Americans will make conclusions about the world based on their American experiences without realizing that less than 5% of people on Earth are American. If all content they've ever known was either American or a direct comparison of America to something else, you lose so much of the context that is so important to understanding statistics.

This video's bias sits as a counter to the whole point of the video. Please keep this in mind going forward.

[benaaronmusic]

Still, my parents insist on buying lottery tickets.
"If you don't play, you can't win" - Dad.
Oy vey.

[sahil-lerm]

There is small request, you have posted engineering and statistics but not mathematics. Please make mathematics videos for mathematics lovers

[trango]

Crash courses are really really great. I watch them with my kids in Pakistan. The only PROBLEM. everyone speaks super fast and it becomes difficult to process information. Please add a speed control button like in most YouTube videos. Many thanks.