Category Archives: Mathematics

Sen. Snowe and the Mad Biologist’s Rule of Base Ten Numbers

Posted on September 15, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Too many zeros. And I’m not necessarily talking about Senator Snowe.
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Posted in Funding, Healthcare, Mathematics | 6 Comments

Healthcare: Bending the Curve and Overemphasizing the First Derivative

Posted on September 11, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

We don’t need to slow the growth of healthcare costs (the first derivative). We need to cut the cost of healthcare in absolute terms.
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Posted in Healthcare, Mathematics | 17 Comments

The Difference Between the First and Second Derivative: The Jobs Edition

Posted on August 13, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Basic mathematical literacy matters.
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Posted in Economics, Mathematics | 6 Comments

The U.S. Can Teach Kids Math Provided…

Posted on June 22, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

…they live in Massachusetts. Is the real lesson to be learned that the ‘extra-educational’ environment–what students walk into the school with–plays a really big role?
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Posted in Boston, Education, Massachusetts, Mathematics | 1 Comment

Unemployment Figures: Hooray for the Second Derivative?

Posted on June 7, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

I guess a slowdown in bad news is a good thing?
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Posted in Economics, Mathematics | 6 Comments

Don’t Blame the Models

Posted on May 29, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

A mathematical model didn’t destroy Wall Street.
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Posted in Economics, Mathematics | 9 Comments

‘Counterintuition’, the Human Microbiome, and Why Fluency in Math Matters

Posted on April 21, 2009 by mikethemadbiologist

Probability theory shouldn’t be counterintuitive.
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Posted in Mathematics, Microbiology | 13 Comments

Political Reporters, Polls, and Numerical Illiteracy

Posted on August 12, 2008 by mikethemadbiologist

Even though the presidential race is stagnant in that the numbers aren’t shifting much, that’s not the same as the race being in a dead heat. This would be obvious, if your typical political reporter wasn’t a mathematically illiterate moron.
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