Millions, Billions, Zillions

An essential guide to recognizing bogus numbers and misleading data



Numbers are often intimidating, confusing, and even deliberately deceptive--especially when they are really big. The media loves to report on millions, billions, and trillions, but frequently makes basic mistakes or presents such numbers in misleading ways. And misunderstanding numbers can have serious consequences, since they can deceive us in many of our most important decisions, including how to vote, what to buy, and whether to make a financial investment. In this short, accessible, enlightening, and entertaining book, Brian Kernighan teaches anyone--even diehard math-phobes--how to demystify the numbers that assault us every day. Giving you the simple tools you need to avoid being fooled by dubious numbers, Millions, Billions, Zillions is an essential survival guide for a world drowning in big--and often bad--data.

Un ghid esential pentru recunoasterea numerelor false si a datelor inselatoare Numerele sunt adesea intimidante, confuze si chiar inselatoare in mod deliberat - mai ales atunci cand sunt cu adevarat mari. Mass-media adora sa raporteze milioane, miliarde si trilioane, dar face greseli de baza sau prezinta astfel de cifre in mod inselator.