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<p>A recent study has confirmed the existence of a discrete number sense in rats, offering new insights into the specific neural circuits involved in number processing in animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research, conducted by a joint research team from the City University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was published in&nbsp;<em>Science Advances.</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the researchers, the study offers a significant animal model for analysing the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans. They deployed a numerical learning task, brain manipulation techniques and AI modelling to tackle an ongoing debate about whether rats can count.</p>

<p>The results shed light on the mechanisms that underlie numerical ability, a cognitive skill essential to mathematical proficiency, which is a defining characteristic of human intelligence. The researchers have titled the article "Disparate processing of numerosity and associated continuous magnitudes in rats."</p>

<p>Professor Yung Wing-ho, Chair Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at CityUHK, said the research team aimed to minimise the impact of constant magnitudes in numerical tests and performed a detailed quantitative analysis to find the respective contributions of numbers and magnitudes.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-captures-2000-foot-wide-asteroid-visible-through-amateur-telescopes-as-it-zips-past-earth-711826">NASA snaps 2,000-foot-wide asteroid, visible through amateur telescopes, as it zips past Earth</a></p>

<p>The animal-focused algorithm developed by the team generates stimuli that emphasise numbers while reducing the impact of other distractions. "This will help us better understand how animals perceive and quantify numbers," Professor Yung said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the research, they found that the rats without previous knowledge of numbers developed a sense for them when trained with sounds representing two or three numbers. When given a choice of food rewards, rats consistently focused on the number of sounds rather than continuous magnitudes.</p>

<p>Furthermore, the findings help unveil the relationship between magnitude and numerosity processing. The researchers blocked a specific part of the rats' brain called the posterior parietal cortex. It impacted their ability to understand numbers but not their sense of magnitude. "This suggests that the brain has a specific area for dealing with numbers," Professor Yung continued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study solved a long-standing mystery about how brains handle numbers and explained how genes are related to mathematical ability. The practical applications of neural network modelling extend to AI.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A recent study has confirmed the existence of a discrete number sense in rats, offering new insights into the specific neural circuits involved in number processing in animals.

A recent study has confirmed the existence of a discrete number sense in rats, offering new insights into the specific neural circuits involved in number processing in animals. The research, conducted by a joint research team from the City University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was published in Science Advances. According to the researchers, the study offers a significant animal model for analysing the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans. They deployed a numerical learning task, brain manipulation techniques and AI modelling to tackle an ongoing debate about whether rats can count. The results shed light on the mechanisms that underlie numerical ability, a cognitive skill essential to mathematical proficiency, which is a defining characteristic of human intelligence. The researchers have titled the article "Disparate processing of numerosity and associated continuous magnitudes in rats." Professor Yung Wing-ho, Chair Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at CityUHK, said the research team aimed to minimise the impact of constant magnitudes in numerical tests and performed a detailed quantitative analysis to find the respective contributions of numbers and magnitudes. ALSO READ | NASA snaps 2,000-foot-wide asteroid, visible through amateur telescopes, as it zips past Earth The animal-focused algorithm developed by the team generates stimuli that emphasise numbers while reducing the impact of other distractions. "This will help us better understand how animals perceive and quantify numbers," Professor Yung said. During the research, they found that the rats without previous knowledge of numbers developed a sense for them when trained with sounds representing two or three numbers. When given a choice of food rewards, rats consistently focused on the number of sounds rather than continuous magnitudes. Furthermore, the findings help unveil the relationship between magnitude and numerosity processing. The researchers blocked a specific part of the rats' brain called the posterior parietal cortex. It impacted their ability to understand numbers but not their sense of magnitude. "This suggests that the brain has a specific area for dealing with numbers," Professor Yung continued. The study solved a long-standing mystery about how brains handle numbers and explained how genes are related to mathematical ability. The practical applications of neural network modelling extend to AI. (With inputs from agencies)

Do animals have a sense of numbers? Study involving rats suggests animals may be able to count

<p>India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party clinched a massive victory in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election. The results came out in favour of the BJP despite exit polls predicting a tight race.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The BJP had clinched victory or was leading in 165 seats at 8:40 pm (local time), which was more than double the number of seats with Congress – 64. The numbers have represented BJP's staggering gain of 56 seats and a massive loss of 50 seats for the Congress.<br />
<br />
Among the state elections' heavyweights, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan clinched victory from Budhni and his predecessor and leader of Congress Kamal Nath was leading from Chhindwara.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-bjp-roars-in-mp-scindia-fires-back-at-priyanka-gandhi-over-height-remark-665698">As BJP wins&nbsp;in MP, Scindia fires back at Priyanka Gandhi over 'height' remark</a></p>

<p>After it became clear&nbsp;that the BJP was winning elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters and said the results showed that the country's people have chosen "politics of good governance and development".<br />
<br />
Confirming BJP's victory in Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India said that the party will be forming its government in the state as it has crossed the majority mark of 116 seats.</p>

<h2><strong>Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia emerge as 'election heroes'</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier on Sunday (Dec 3), Chouhan appreciated the 'double engine' approach of the party. "The reason for this (win for the BJP) is the double-engine government and the welfare schemes. These touched the hearts of voters... we will win with a comfortable majority,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Assembly elections results: BJP scores hat-trick in crucial assembly elections</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/assembly-elections-results-bjp-scores-hat-trick-in-crucial-assembly-elections-665797/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He had earlier expressed confidence that the BJP would clinch victory and form the government for a fifth time. In the morning, Chouhan had said that the party will remain in power with a commanding majority.<br />
<br />
"I am confident that with the blessings of the people and the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will form government again with a full majority," said Chouhan, while speaking on X.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is being helmed as one of the major reasons behind the victory and whose mutiny in 2020 led to the fall of Kamal Nath-led Congress government, had expressed his confidence in the party's victory.<br />
<br />
"We will wait till the complete results are in. We will form government with complete majority. The people's faith in PM and the welfare schemes are the reasons for such a mandate,” he said.<br />
<br />
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the hearts of the people of Madhya Pradesh. The work done by the double-engine government, whether in the Centre or the state, such as the Ladli scheme, has helped uplift people and improved their lives. All of us have worked hard together," said Chouhan, while speaking to NDTV.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath, accepting the defeat, said, “We will analyse the loopholes and why we were not able to make the voters understand our point. We will hold discussions with all, be it a winning or losing candidate.”</p>

<p>"We accept the decision of the voters of Madhya Pradesh in this contest of&nbsp;democracy. I congratulate BJP and hope that they will live up to the support people have given them," he said.</p>

<p><br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party clinched a massive victory in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election. The results came out in favour of the BJP despite exit polls predicting a tight race.

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party clinched a massive victory in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election. The results came out in favour of the BJP despite exit polls predicting a tight race. The BJP had clinched victory or was leading in 165 seats at 8:40 pm (local time), which was more than double the number of seats with Congress – 64. The numbers have represented BJP's staggering gain of 56 seats and a massive loss of 50 seats for the Congress. Among the state elections' heavyweights, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan clinched victory from Budhni and his predecessor and leader of Congress Kamal Nath was leading from Chhindwara. Also read: As BJP wins in MP, Scindia fires back at Priyanka Gandhi over 'height' remark After it became clear that the BJP was winning elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters and said the results showed that the country's people have chosen "politics of good governance and development". Confirming BJP's victory in Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India said that the party will be forming its government in the state as it has crossed the majority mark of 116 seats. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia emerge as 'election heroes' Earlier on Sunday (Dec 3), Chouhan appreciated the 'double engine' approach of the party. "The reason for this (win for the BJP) is the double-engine government and the welfare schemes. These touched the hearts of voters... we will win with a comfortable majority,” he said. Watch: Assembly elections results: BJP scores hat-trick in crucial assembly elections He had earlier expressed confidence that the BJP would clinch victory and form the government for a fifth time. In the morning, Chouhan had said that the party will remain in power with a commanding majority. "I am confident that with the blessings of the people and the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will form government again with a full majority," said Chouhan, while speaking on X. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is being helmed as one of the major reasons behind the victory and whose mutiny in 2020 led to the fall of Kamal Nath-led Congress government, had expressed his confidence in the party's victory. "We will wait till the complete results are in. We will form government with complete majority. The people's faith in PM and the welfare schemes are the reasons for such a mandate,” he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the hearts of the people of Madhya Pradesh. The work done by the double-engine government, whether in the Centre or the state, such as the Ladli scheme, has helped uplift people and improved their lives. All of us have worked hard together," said Chouhan, while speaking to NDTV. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath, accepting the defeat, said, “We will analyse the loopholes and why we were not able to make the voters understand our point. We will hold discussions with all, be it a winning or losing candidate.” "We accept the decision of the voters of Madhya Pradesh in this contest of democracy. I congratulate BJP and hope that they will live up to the support people have given them," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Madhya Pradesh elections 2023: BJP roars with staggering numbers, Congress virtually wiped out

As Virat Kohli gears up for his international comeback and 100th T20I when India face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 edition, here's a look at the former captain's scintillating numbers in the format both as captain and batter.

Virat Kohli's T20I numbers before 100th match during Pakistan clash in Asia Cup

<p>Every once in a while, there comes a date that proves to be a bit more legendary than other numbers on a calendar. January 21, 2021 is one of those days.</p>

<p>And at 21 minutes past 9 tonight, life will throw one of the many rarities that make a lifetime worthwhile.</p>

<p>At the said time, the clock and the calendar will read 21:21 | 21-1-2021 -- and it will mean the 21st minute of the 21st hour of the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century.</p>

<p>A once-in-a-lifetime moment! Isn't it?</p>

<p>A similar moment will come next on 22:22 | 22-1-2122 -- the 22nd minute of the 22nd hour of the 22nd day of the 22nd year of the 22nd century, some 101 years later.</p>

<p>Twitterati have also been reacting on this special arrangement of numbers.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Guys, today is the<br />
21st day of the<br />
21st year of the<br />
21st century.<br />
This won't happen again until January 22 2122. <a href="https://t.co/rYwmksBBM3">pic.twitter.com/rYwmksBBM3</a></p>
— Real Captain (@_RealCaptain_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_RealCaptain_/status/1352178752093102080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century - hope all the 21s bring the harmony of good luck and prosperity for the country <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThursdayMotivation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThursdayMotivation</a></p>
— Sangeeta Gupta (@sangeetagupta29) <a href="https://twitter.com/sangeetagupta29/status/1352144721741635586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looks like we're in for a long ol' repeating number pattern in today's date / time<br />
<br />
21/01/21 21:21<br />
<br />
and if you wanna get fancy, it's also the 21st century.</p>
— JustZisGuyYouKnow (@ZisKnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZisKnow/status/1352181653083459584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>There are naysayers too who say this is not the 21st year of the century.</p>

<p>It all boils down to whether or not there was a year zero --&nbsp;if or not the new millennium started on New Year’s Day 2000. However, many historians and calendar experts believe there is no year zero, meaning the 21st century started in 2001.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, we gotta do what we oughta do ;)</p>

<p><em>p.s. If you're a Bollywood buff, you can start watching 'Table No 21' at 21:21. Just saying!</em></p>


Every once in a while, there comes a date that proves to be a bit more legendary than other numbers on a calendar. January 21, 2021 is one of those days. And at 21 minutes past 9 tonight, life will throw one of the many rarities that make a lifetime worthwhile.

Every once in a while, there comes a date that proves to be a bit more legendary than other numbers on a calendar. January 21, 2021 is one of those days. And at 21 minutes past 9 tonight, life will throw one of the many rarities that make a lifetime worthwhile. At the said time, the clock and the calendar will read 21:21 | 21-1-2021 -- and it will mean the 21st minute of the 21st hour of the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century. A once-in-a-lifetime moment! Isn't it? A similar moment will come next on 22:22 | 22-1-2122 -- the 22nd minute of the 22nd hour of the 22nd day of the 22nd year of the 22nd century, some 101 years later. Twitterati have also been reacting on this special arrangement of numbers. Guys, today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century. This won't happen again until January 22 2122. pic.twitter.com/rYwmksBBM3 — Real Captain (@_RealCaptain_) January 21, 2021 × Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century - hope all the 21s bring the harmony of good luck and prosperity for the country #ThursdayMotivation — Sangeeta Gupta (@sangeetagupta29) January 21, 2021 × Looks like we're in for a long ol' repeating number pattern in today's date / time 21/01/21 21:21 and if you wanna get fancy, it's also the 21st century. — JustZisGuyYouKnow (@ZisKnow) January 21, 2021 × There are naysayers too who say this is not the 21st year of the century. It all boils down to whether or not there was a year zero -- if or not the new millennium started on New Year’s Day 2000. However, many historians and calendar experts believe there is no year zero, meaning the 21st century started in 2001. Nevertheless, we gotta do what we oughta do ;) p.s. If you're a Bollywood buff, you can start watching 'Table No 21' at 21:21. Just saying!

It's going to be legendary at 21 mins past 9 tonight. And we're intrigued!

<p>Markets nursed losses for the fourth straight session today as upbeat second-quarter GDP numbers failed to dispel concerns over a widening fiscal deficit.</p>

<p>The BSE benchmark Sensex dived 316 points to close below the 33,000-mark, while the broader Nifty declined 104.75 points to 10,121.80.</p>

<p>It was a forgettable week for both the key indices, with the Sensex recording a fall of 846.30 points, or 2.51 per cent and the NSE Nifty losing 267.90 points, or 2.57 per cent.</p>

<p>&quot;Despite data pointing to an improvement in the macro- economic environment, participants remained cautious and chose to sell stocks in the latter half of the trading day,&quot; said Karthikraj Lakshmanan, Senior Fund Manager, Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.</p>

<p>The 30-share benchmark, after scaling a high of 33,300.81 in early deals, slipped into the negative zone to touch 32,797.78, before settling at 32,832.94, down 316.41 points, or 0.95 per cent.</p>

<p>This was its weakest closing since November 15, when it had finished at 32,760.44.</p>

<p>The 50-issue NSE Nifty too cracked the 10,200-mark and hit a low of 10,108.55 before finishing 104.75 points, or 1.02 per cent down at 10,121.80.</p>

<p>Reversing a five-quarter slide in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the economy bounced back from a three-year low to expand by 6.3 per cent in July-September as manufacturing revved up and businesses adjusted to the new GST tax regime, data released after market hours yesterday showed.</p>

<p>However, participants remained risk-averse as India&#39;s fiscal deficit at the end of October hit 96.1 per cent of the budget estimate for 2017-18, mainly due to lower revenue realisation and rise in expenditure.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth net Rs 1,500.76 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares to the tune of Rs 1,202.57 crore yesterday, as per provisional data.</p>

<p>Small and mid-cap indices fell 1.16 per cent and 0.95 per cent in today&#39;s session, respectively.</p>

<p>The session saw buying in select auto stocks such as Maruti Suzuki, TVS Motor and Ashok Leyland, buoyed by encouraging sales data for November.</p>

<p>Among Sensex constituents, Adani Ports suffered the most by diving 3 per cent, followed by Bajaj Auto 2.99 per cent despite the company reporting a 21 per cent rise in total sales in November.</p>

<p>Other big losers were Bharti Airtel (2.74 per cent), Sun Pharma (2.59 per cent), SBI (2.47 per cent), Dr Reddy&#39;s (2.44 per cent), Tata Steel (2.08 per cent), HUL (1.71 per cent), Infosys (1.69 per cent), Power Grid (1.51 per cent), Coal India (1.43 per cent), RIL (1.38 per cent), Tata Motors (1.36 per cent), HDFC LTD (1.11 per cent) and Hero MotoCorp (0.97 per cent).</p>

<p>However, Kotak Bank rose 0.23 per cent followed by NTPC 0.14 per cent.</p>

<p>Among BSE sectoral indices, realty dropped by 1.99 per cent followed by metal 1.75 per cent, infrastructure 1.63 per cent, oil &amp; gas 1.47 per cent, PSU 1.46 per cent, teck 1.43 per cent, power 1.38 per cent, IT 1.29 per cent and auto 0.99 per cent.</p>

<p>Globally, other Asian markets traded mixed after investors shifted nervously as US President Donald Trump&#39;s much-hyped tax-cut plans hung in the balance after a plan to push them through hit unexpected hurdles.</p>

<p>Hong Kong&#39;s Hang Seng finished 0.35 per cent lower, while Korea fell 0.04 per cent. Japan&#39;s Nikkei, however, rose 0.41 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.01 per cent.</p>

<p>European shares were down in their early deals. Frankfurt&#39;s DAX was down 0.77 per cent and Paris CAC 40 lost 0.76 per cent. London&#39;s FTSE too fell 0.18 per cent.</p>


Markets nursed losses for the fourth straight session today as upbeat second-quarter GDP numbers failed to dispel concerns over a widening fiscal deficit

Markets nursed losses for the fourth straight session today as upbeat second-quarter GDP numbers failed to dispel concerns over a widening fiscal deficit. The BSE benchmark Sensex dived 316 points to close below the 33,000-mark, while the broader Nifty declined 104.75 points to 10,121.80. It was a forgettable week for both the key indices, with the Sensex recording a fall of 846.30 points, or 2.51 per cent and the NSE Nifty losing 267.90 points, or 2.57 per cent. "Despite data pointing to an improvement in the macro- economic environment, participants remained cautious and chose to sell stocks in the latter half of the trading day," said Karthikraj Lakshmanan, Senior Fund Manager, Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund. The 30-share benchmark, after scaling a high of 33,300.81 in early deals, slipped into the negative zone to touch 32,797.78, before settling at 32,832.94, down 316.41 points, or 0.95 per cent. This was its weakest closing since November 15, when it had finished at 32,760.44. The 50-issue NSE Nifty too cracked the 10,200-mark and hit a low of 10,108.55 before finishing 104.75 points, or 1.02 per cent down at 10,121.80. Reversing a five-quarter slide in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the economy bounced back from a three-year low to expand by 6.3 per cent in July-September as manufacturing revved up and businesses adjusted to the new GST tax regime, data released after market hours yesterday showed. However, participants remained risk-averse as India's fiscal deficit at the end of October hit 96.1 per cent of the budget estimate for 2017-18, mainly due to lower revenue realisation and rise in expenditure. Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth net Rs 1,500.76 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares to the tune of Rs 1,202.57 crore yesterday, as per provisional data. Small and mid-cap indices fell 1.16 per cent and 0.95 per cent in today's session, respectively. The session saw buying in select auto stocks such as Maruti Suzuki, TVS Motor and Ashok Leyland, buoyed by encouraging sales data for November. Among Sensex constituents, Adani Ports suffered the most by diving 3 per cent, followed by Bajaj Auto 2.99 per cent despite the company reporting a 21 per cent rise in total sales in November. Other big losers were Bharti Airtel (2.74 per cent), Sun Pharma (2.59 per cent), SBI (2.47 per cent), Dr Reddy's (2.44 per cent), Tata Steel (2.08 per cent), HUL (1.71 per cent), Infosys (1.69 per cent), Power Grid (1.51 per cent), Coal India (1.43 per cent), RIL (1.38 per cent), Tata Motors (1.36 per cent), HDFC LTD (1.11 per cent) and Hero MotoCorp (0.97 per cent). However, Kotak Bank rose 0.23 per cent followed by NTPC 0.14 per cent. Among BSE sectoral indices, realty dropped by 1.99 per cent followed by metal 1.75 per cent, infrastructure 1.63 per cent, oil & gas 1.47 per cent, PSU 1.46 per cent, teck 1.43 per cent, power 1.38 per cent, IT 1.29 per cent and auto 0.99 per cent. Globally, other Asian markets traded mixed after investors shifted nervously as US President Donald Trump's much-hyped tax-cut plans hung in the balance after a plan to push them through hit unexpected hurdles. Hong Kong's Hang Seng finished 0.35 per cent lower, while Korea fell 0.04 per cent. Japan's Nikkei, however, rose 0.41 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.01 per cent. European shares were down in their early deals. Frankfurt's DAX was down 0.77 per cent and Paris CAC 40 lost 0.76 per cent. London's FTSE too fell 0.18 per cent.

Sensex shrugs off GDP rebound, sinks 316 points

<p>Today is World Statistics Day --&nbsp;a day designated to remind us of the importance&nbsp;of numbers, figures, and&nbsp;data&nbsp;in our&nbsp;lives.</p>

<p>When we quote figures, it adds&nbsp;authenticity and gravity to what we are saying or writing. On the one hand, figures back up our statements but on&nbsp;the other,&nbsp;numbers can be manipulated to suit our needs. By changing the mere representation of the data, we can bend figures&nbsp;to drive home our side of the argument.</p>

<p>The following examples will make this clear:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/revised_slide_6-20161021063856.jpg" />
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<p>For the same set of data, the average figures differ dramatically. (WION)</p>
</div>
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<p>The above table shows the monthly salary of seven individuals. If one chooses mean&nbsp;as the tool for calculating the average salary, then it is easy to say that monthly salaries in the world are increasing. However, looking at other average figures, such as&nbsp;mode and median, a different&nbsp;picture emerges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pooja&#39;s salary of&nbsp;$1,000,000 skews the mean&nbsp;figure to a higher level.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another example shows how different visualisations of the same data can mislead people</p>

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<p>If the units are not mentioned on the axis, then the reader does not get a clear picture from the represented data. (WION)</p>
</div>
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<p>Figure 1 does not say much as the unit is not mentioned on the y-axis. Does this graph represents width, volume, weight,&nbsp;height or something else?</p>

<p>Figure 2 represents weight on the y-axis,&nbsp;thus&nbsp;giving a meaning to the graphical representation. It shows the weight of apples from&nbsp;each individual.&nbsp;We can call this&nbsp;a fair graph.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/slide_4-20161020102002.jpg" />
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<p>The scale on the axis can change what one draws from the statistical representation. (WION)</p>
</div>
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<p>Figure 3 represents the same data but the scale of the y-axis has changed, showing that the weight of apples with Joseph is much higher compared to the others.</p>

<p>Figure 4 again represents the same set of data but the scale of the&nbsp;y-axis has&nbsp;changed again. It appears that all three -&nbsp;Abdul, Rahul, and Joseph -&nbsp;have apples of the same weight with them.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/slide_5-20161020101447.jpg" />
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<p>By changing data visualisation, the magnitude of the statistics changes phenomenally. (WION)</p>
</div>
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<p>In Figure 5, each apple equals 10 units. This is a fair representation, showing the weight of the apples taken from the farm of each individual.</p>

<p>Figure 6&nbsp;distorts the data.&nbsp;To show the differences in the weights, this figure changes the height of each apple&nbsp;to represent the&nbsp;weight of the&nbsp;apples.&nbsp;It is a skewed representation which blows up&nbsp;the weight of apples from Joseph&#39;s farms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is another interesting example to explain how certain statistical representations&nbsp;can give the wrong picture.</p>

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<p>It is often quoted that the average temperature of Oklahoma city is 60 degrees but this figure gives a wrong picture about the weather of the city. (WION)</p>
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<p>One often hears that the average temperature of&nbsp;Oklahoma City is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. From hearing the average temperature, one may think Oklahoma City&nbsp;has the same balmy&nbsp;weather as&nbsp;California. However, a closer look at the figures will reveal&nbsp;that Oklahoma City actually has extreme weather. In summers its very hot and in winters it is very cold, far removed from the pleasant weather of California.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>An upward sloping graph. (WION)</p>
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<p>The above graph published in FORTUNE magazine displays&nbsp;the growth of a certain business. Looking at the graph, one may think that the company has experienced phenomenal growth over the years. But there are no figures mentioned on the y-axis. So, it can&#39;t be stated with certainty whether the said company added a few&nbsp;pennies&nbsp;each year to its growth or a few millions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thus, it is important to understand the importance of numbers and why&nbsp;one should be careful when using them. Numbers&nbsp;should give&nbsp;authentic information to people rather than misleading them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We sign off with another set of weird&nbsp;statistics:</p>

<p>&#39;Odds of being killed by falling out of bed: 1 in 2 million</p>

<p>Odds of being killed in a plane crash: 1 in 25 &nbsp;million&#39;</p>

<p>Looking at this makes me think that&nbsp;I should find another place to sleep.</p>

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By changing the mere representation of data, we can bend data to drive home our side of the argument

Today is World Statistics Day -- a day designated to remind us of the importance of numbers, figures, and data in our lives. When we quote figures, it adds authenticity and gravity to what we are saying or writing. On the one hand, figures back up our statements but on the other, numbers can be manipulated to suit our needs. By changing the mere representation of the data, we can bend figures to drive home our side of the argument. The following examples will make this clear: For the same set of data, the average figures differ dramatically. (WION) × The above table shows the monthly salary of seven individuals. If one chooses mean as the tool for calculating the average salary, then it is easy to say that monthly salaries in the world are increasing. However, looking at other average figures, such as mode and median, a different picture emerges. Pooja's salary of $1,000,000 skews the mean figure to a higher level. Another example shows how different visualisations of the same data can mislead people If the units are not mentioned on the axis, then the reader does not get a clear picture from the represented data. (WION) × Figure 1 does not say much as the unit is not mentioned on the y-axis. Does this graph represents width, volume, weight, height or something else? Figure 2 represents weight on the y-axis, thus giving a meaning to the graphical representation. It shows the weight of apples from each individual. We can call this a fair graph. The scale on the axis can change what one draws from the statistical representation. (WION) × Figure 3 represents the same data but the scale of the y-axis has changed, showing that the weight of apples with Joseph is much higher compared to the others. Figure 4 again represents the same set of data but the scale of the y-axis has changed again. It appears that all three - Abdul, Rahul, and Joseph - have apples of the same weight with them. By changing data visualisation, the magnitude of the statistics changes phenomenally. (WION) × In Figure 5, each apple equals 10 units. This is a fair representation, showing the weight of the apples taken from the farm of each individual. Figure 6 distorts the data. To show the differences in the weights, this figure changes the height of each apple to represent the weight of the apples. It is a skewed representation which blows up the weight of apples from Joseph's farms. There is another interesting example to explain how certain statistical representations can give the wrong picture. It is often quoted that the average temperature of Oklahoma city is 60 degrees but this figure gives a wrong picture about the weather of the city. (WION) × One often hears that the average temperature of Oklahoma City is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. From hearing the average temperature, one may think Oklahoma City has the same balmy weather as California. However, a closer look at the figures will reveal that Oklahoma City actually has extreme weather. In summers its very hot and in winters it is very cold, far removed from the pleasant weather of California. An upward sloping graph. (WION) × The above graph published in FORTUNE magazine displays the growth of a certain business. Looking at the graph, one may think that the company has experienced phenomenal growth over the years. But there are no figures mentioned on the y-axis. So, it can't be stated with certainty whether the said company added a few pennies each year to its growth or a few millions. Thus, it is important to understand the importance of numbers and why one should be careful when using them. Numbers should give authentic information to people rather than misleading them. We sign off with another set of weird statistics: 'Odds of being killed by falling out of bed: 1 in 2 million Odds of being killed in a plane crash: 1 in 25 million' Looking at this makes me think that I should find another place to sleep.

World Statistics Day: Why numbers are important in our lives

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