Conned Again, Watson!: Cautionary Tales Of Logic, Math, And Probability

Colin Bruce

ISBN 10: 0738203459 / ISBN 13: 9780738203454

Published by Perseus Publishing, 2000

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Synopsis:

A thrilling way to learn about probability, statistics, and math-by watching Sherlock Holmes help victims exploited by evil con men.. "I wish I understood these matters, of chance and luck!" I said as we walked. "But to a dunce like myself, it all seems hopelessly paradoxical." Holmes smiled as he tucked the Marquis's winnings carefully into his waistcoat pocket. "You will indeed need to master the reasoning, Watson, to prosper in the new century," he said. "I could name you a dozen fallacies of probability and logic, where the outcome runs quite contrary to intuition. They form the basis of the cleverest cons and crimes and capers a detective could hope to find. In fact, I have a hunch that we will soon meet some illuminating cases."Herein are cautionary tales of greedy gamblers, reckless businessmen, and honest people misled by their common sense. From "The Unpleasantness at the Munchausen Club" to "Murder at Checkers," there has never been a more exciting way to learn about probability, statistics, game theory, and when to take a calculated risk.

Review: In Conned Again, Watson!: Cautionary Tales of Logic, Math, and Probability physicist Colin Bruce turns maths teaching on its head by using conflict, drama and familiar characters to bring probability and game theory to vivid life. People who think they hate maths will luckily learn that they actually just can't abide its dry, abstract presentation. Using short stories crafted in the style of Arthur Conan Doyle, he lets Sherlock Holmes guide Watson and his clients through elementary mathematical reasoning. This kind of thinking is growing more and more important as poll numbers, economic indicators, and scientific data find their way into the mainstream, and Bruce's gambit pays off handsomely for the reader. Delving into such arcana as normal distribution, Bayesian logic, and risk taking, the stories never dry up, even when presenting tables or graphs. Holmes' quick wit, Watson's patience, and their various friends' and clients' dubious decisions unite both to entertain and to illuminate tough but important problems. Even the cleverest numerophile will probably still find a nugget or two of hidden knowledge in the book, or at least a few new ways to explain statistical concepts to friends and students. The rest of us can relax, enjoy the tales, and come away a little bit tougher to con. --Rob Lightner

Bibliographic Details

Title: Conned Again, Watson!: Cautionary Tales Of ...
Publisher: Perseus Publishing
Publication Date: 2000
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Claire Palmer
Condition: Very Good