Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom

Name: Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom
Price: 16.47 USD
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Rating: 4.3 (86 reviews)

4.3 of 5 Stars: Legal History - Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom

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Book Synopsis: In the wrong hands, math can be deadly. Even the simplest numbers can become powerful forces when manipulated by politicians or the media, but in the case of the law, your liberty — and your life — can depend on the right calculation.

In Math on Trial, mathematicians Leila Schneps and Coralie Colmez describe ten trials spanning from the nineteenth century to today, in which mathematical arguments were used — and disastrously misused — as evidence. They tell the stories of Sally Clark, who was accused of murdering her children by a doctor with a faulty sense of calculation; of nineteenth-century tycoon Hetty Green, whose dispute over her aunt's will became a signal case in the forensic use of mathematics; and of the case of Amanda Knox, in which a judge's misunderstanding of probability led him to discount critical evidence — which might have kept her in jail.

Offering a fresh angle on cases from the nineteenth-century Dreyfus affair to the murder trial of Dutch nurse Lucia de Berk, Schneps and Colmez show how the improper application of mathematical concepts can mean the difference between walking free and life in prison. A colorful narrative of mathematical abuse, Math on Trial blends courtroom drama, history, and math to show that legal expertise isn't't always enough to prove a person innocent.

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Looking for a thrilling and eye-opening read that combines mathematics, history, and courtroom drama? Look no further than Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom. This captivating book takes you on a journey through ten real-life trials where mathematical arguments were used, and unfortunately, misused as evidence.

Mathematics in the wrong hands can be dangerous, especially when politicians or the media manipulate simple numbers to their advantage. But when it comes to the courtroom, your freedom and even your life can depend on the correct calculations being presented. Math on Trial, written by acclaimed mathematicians Leila Schneps and Coralie Colmez, unveils the shocking stories of trials where faulty calculations led to disastrous outcomes.

Travel back in time and witness the case of Sally Clark, who faced murder accusations based on a doctor's incorrect calculations. Explore the nineteenth-century tycoon Hetty Green's inheritance dispute, which set a precedent for the role of mathematics in forensic investigations. Discover the gripping tale of Amanda Knox, whose judge's misunderstanding of probability jeopardized critical evidence that could have prevented her incarceration.

Math on Trial also sheds light on notable historical cases, including the infamous Dreyfus affair and the trial of Dutch nurse Lucia de Berk. These cases highlight how errors in mathematical application can mean the difference between freedom and a life behind bars.

With its blend of colorful storytelling, legal expertise, and mathematical analysis, Math on Trial is a truly unique and thought-provoking book. Prepare to be captivated as you witness the power of mathematics play out in the most unexpected ways. Are you ready to explore the fascinating intersection of law and numbers?

Get your copy of Math on Trial now and uncover the shocking truth behind the misuse of mathematics in the courtroom.

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