Difference between revisions of "Excessive precision"
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| − | '''Excessive precision''' is a way of concealing how good the numbers are. [http://moregrumbinescience.blogspot.com/2008/09/excess-precision.html] For example, a 2011 ad for the | + | '''Excessive precision''' is a way of concealing how good the numbers are. [http://moregrumbinescience.blogspot.com/2008/09/excess-precision.html] For example, a 2011 ad for the Volkswagen Passat says it can go 795 miles on a tank of gas. This implies that 800 would be impossible, and that 790 is guaranteed, i.e., an accuracy of 5 miles. Actually, because of driving conditions or one's chosen speed there would be more variation. |
| − | *"A general rule is to give precisions approximately one tenth the size of the object, unless there is a clear reason for additional precision. Overly precise coordinates can be misleading by implying that the geographic area is smaller than it truly is." [ | + | *"A general rule is to give precisions approximately one tenth the size of the object, unless there is a clear reason for additional precision. Overly precise coordinates can be misleading by implying that the geographic area is smaller than it truly is." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Geographical_coordinates#Precision] |
See: | See: | ||
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*[[accuracy]] | *[[accuracy]] | ||
*''[[How to Lie With Statistics]]'' | *''[[How to Lie With Statistics]]'' | ||
| + | [[Category:Deceit]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Statistics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:53, September 26, 2018
Excessive precision is a way of concealing how good the numbers are. [1] For example, a 2011 ad for the Volkswagen Passat says it can go 795 miles on a tank of gas. This implies that 800 would be impossible, and that 790 is guaranteed, i.e., an accuracy of 5 miles. Actually, because of driving conditions or one's chosen speed there would be more variation.
- "A general rule is to give precisions approximately one tenth the size of the object, unless there is a clear reason for additional precision. Overly precise coordinates can be misleading by implying that the geographic area is smaller than it truly is." [2]
See: