Press releases

"Statistics Hacks": Math for Beating the Odds, Winning in Vegas, and Having a Better Life

Press release: May 19, 2006

Sebastopol, CA--Stats class might have been boring, but statistics itself doesn't have to be. Statistics can actually be useful in every day life. Want to calculate the probability that an event will happen? Be able to spot fake data? Prove beyond doubt whether one thing causes another? Or learn to be a better gambler? You can do that and much more with 75 practical and fun hacks packed into "Statistics Hacks." These cool tips, tricks, and mind-boggling solutions from the world of statistics, measurement, and research methods will not only amaze and entertain you, but will give you an advantage in several real-world situations.

"This book is ideal for anyone who likes puzzles, brainteasers, games, gambling, magic tricks, and those who want to apply math and science to everyday circumstances," said Bruce Frey, the book's author. "Using inferential statistics, you can understand the way probability works, discover relationships, predict events with uncanny accuracy, and even make a little money with a well-placed wager here and there."

Statistics Hacks (O'Reilly, US $29.99) presents useful techniques from statistics, educational and psychological measurement, and experimental research to help you solve a variety of problems in business, games, and life. You'll learn how to:

  • Play smart when you play Texas Hold 'Em, blackjack, roulette, dice games, or even the lottery
  • Design your own winnable bar bets to make money and amaze your friends
  • Predict the outcomes of baseball games, know when to "go for two" in football, and anticipate the winners of other sporting events with surprising accuracy
  • Demystify amazing coincidences and distinguish the truly random from the only seemingly random--even keep your iPod's "random" shuffle honest
  • Spot fraudulent data, detect plagiarism, and break codes
  • Improve your test scores by watching paint dry

    • Whether you're a statistics enthusiast who does calculations in your sleep or a civilian who is entertained by clever solutions to interesting problems, "Statistics Hacks" has tools to give you an edge over the world's slim odds.

    Additional Resources:

    Statistics Hacks
    Bruce Frey
    ISBN: 0-596-10164-3, 356 pages, 29.99 $US, 38.99 $CAN
    order@oreilly.com
    1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000


    About O’Reilly

    O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.

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