QL/QR Bloopers

This page gives a sample of quantitative errors, gaffes, and deceptions taken primarily from the news. Dubious credit is given whenever possible. Many books are devoted to news blooper detection, which is the namesake of A.K. Dewdney's 200% of Nothing. Many examples abound in Chance News. For an entire site devoted to ridiculous statements, both written and spoken, see Useless Facts.

• "It appeared that no fewer than 1 out of 25 cannot read or write ... just imagine, 1 out of 25 people in a country that sends helpers to developing countries in order to teach their folks reading and writing! 1 out of 25, which means 25% of our citizens."

From an October 1990 newspaper report in the Netherlands; example provided by Jan de Lange

• "Tornado deaths from 1987 to 1996 dropped 300 percent from the 1940s when 1,176 deaths were attributed to tonadoes, an average of 179 per year. From 1987 to 1996, deaths numbers 427, or an average of 42 per year.

From a March 23, 1998 Associated Press article; example provided by Fred Worth.

• The following items were taken from a listserve email message of forgotten origin.
  • "Of those aged more than 60 living alone, 34% are women and only 15% are men."
  • "How much air is acceptable in ice cream? Rowcombe's is a lowish 35%; some manufacturers take theirs right up to 70%; a few even double the volume with 100% air."
  • "According to Lancaster Insurance, five out of four drivers between 17 and 21 have some sort of accident. The figure is correct because some have two accidents."
  • "Due to deforestation, the rainfall in the Peruvian rain forest is now 120% less than 25 years ago."
  • "Only 25% of households consist of the classic couple with 2.4 children."
  • "Tea accounts for 42% of everything drunk in Britain, except tap water. Every man, woman, and child over ten drinks 3.4 cups of tea."
  • "This is a busy motorway carrying 109,000 vehicles in a typical 24-hour period and 4,000 an hour during peak periods."
  • "Infant mortality (deaths at ages under one year per 1000 births): 1948 - 26,766; 1994 - 3,979."
  • "Forty-two percent of all fatalities occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, apparently because of increased drinking on weekends."
  • "In the study, men who began taking light exercise in their sixties reduced their chances of dying by about 45% compared to those who stayed inactive."