Re:An update on the campaign to defend serious math educatio...
by mindcrime on Tuesday April 26, 2022 @03:28PM
(#31172029)
Stats requires calculus; you can't even define a probability distribution without some pretty advanced notions of real analysis.
Only in the same sense in which operating a car requires advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, etc. IOW, in no sense related to the everyday, ordinary practice of operating a car.
Sure, statistics requires calculus... and real analysis, and probability, and measure theory, and FSM knows what else - IF you're doing statistics research or trying to break new ground, or do really advanced things. But all of this is light years away from the level of statistics knowledge needed by Joe Q. Public to better understand (and not be misled by) the "statistics" frequently thrown out in news articles, government reports, etc.
Please, for the love of FSM, can we stop this HN "thing" of assuming that every mention of any mathematical topic implies that the goal of the user/learner is to do original research in the field?
Only in the same sense in which operating a car requires advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, etc. IOW, in no sense related to the everyday, ordinary practice of operating a car.
Sure, statistics requires calculus... and real analysis, and probability, and measure theory, and FSM knows what else - IF you're doing statistics research or trying to break new ground, or do really advanced things. But all of this is light years away from the level of statistics knowledge needed by Joe Q. Public to better understand (and not be misled by) the "statistics" frequently thrown out in news articles, government reports, etc.
Please, for the love of FSM, can we stop this HN "thing" of assuming that every mention of any mathematical topic implies that the goal of the user/learner is to do original research in the field?