Statistics • 243
into the decision trees for our soware, we will be able to target our ques-
tions toward understanding the underlying logic, unintimidated by math-
ematical formulae.
If a salesperson or supplier presents results that seem to defy common
sense, it could be for one of two reasons: rst, the results are correct and
common sense has yet to catch up; second, the results are bunk. A minor
industry has arisen devoted to nding unexpected results in sets of data.
e validity of these surprises is not always well established. When a rm
advertises such surprises, we consider it wise to ask many questions.
Even more insidious is when the analyst tells us what we want or expect
to hear when the grounds for a conclusion are questionable. ...