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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which is an example of a coincidence?
(a) Finding a good parking spot.
(b) Being hired for a new job.
(c) Finding a penny on the sidewalk.
(d) Winning streak.

2. What is the name of the mathematician who sees everything in numbers?
(a) Paulos.
(b) Euclid.
(c) Ramanujan.
(d) Aristotle.

3. Why do people notice the coincidences?
(a) Focus on bad things.
(b) Focus on wins.
(c) Someone points them out.
(d) Look for patterns.

4. Which two presidents are discussed in reference to coincidence?
(a) Lincoln and Kennedy.
(b) Washington and Cleveland.
(c) Nixon and Johnson.
(d) Adams and Jefferson.

5. What word does the author use to describe mathematical errors?
(a) Irritating.
(b) Nonsensical.
(c) Erroneous.
(d) Egregious.

6. Where was the inventor from?
(a) US.
(b) England.
(c) France.
(d) Germany.

7. Paulos believes that most people fall where in their mathematical understanding?
(a) Middle.
(b) Lower quadrant.
(c) Bottom 10%.
(d) Top 10%.

8. What news professional makes common errors in predictions?
(a) Science analyst.
(b) Political reporter.
(c) Meteorologist.
(d) Anchor.

9. What professional often makes major errors in calculating percentages?
(a) Salesman.
(b) Lawyer.
(c) Math teacher.
(d) Doctor.

10. Who made one of the most important and yet simple mathematical discoveries?
(a) Newton.
(b) Archimedes.
(c) Freud.
(d) Paulos.

11. Paulos jokes about how many hamburgers?
(a) 800.
(b) 300.
(c) 120.
(d) 9.

12. What is one of the most misunderstood items according to Paulos?
(a) Large numbers.
(b) Scientific notation.
(c) Multiplication tables.
(d) Calculators.

13. The first stranger's wife went to what kind of camp?
(a) Concentration.
(b) Tennis.
(c) Church.
(d) Girl Scout.

14. Which of the following is not in the list of things over which people become obsessed?
(a) Irony.
(b) Synchronicity.
(c) Fate.
(d) Coincidence.

15. When is the rain supposedly going to take place?
(a) Weekend.
(b) Friday.
(c) Monday.
(d) Wednesday.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was a giant in psychiatry?

2. This doctor was fond of which topic?

3. In what did the doctor not believe?

4. What does the man carry to help with the problem?

5. What stadium is referenced?

(see the answer keys)

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