Mathematical Fallacy Examples in Media, Real Life, Politics, News & Ads

Mathematical Fallacy

Mathematical Fallacy Definition

A mathematical fallacy is an error in reasoning that is in the form of reasoning in which there is a flaw in the argumentation. This type of fallacy may be committed when someone makes an error in arithmetic while trying to solve a problem. Those that commit these mistakes often end up coming up with false, wrong, or incorrect solutions.

There are many different types of mathematical fallacies and they can be split into three categories:

• Logical fallacies
• Cognitive biases
• Fallacies of statistical reasoning

There is a strong majority of people who underestimate the power of a mathematical fallacy.

When it comes to mathematical calculations, they may be either deductive or inductive. Deductive reasoning often begins with a general rule and applies it to a specific case.

Mathematical fallacies can also be defined as “mistaken reasoning that leads to incorrect conclusions.” There are many types of fallacies. Some fallacies are biases, such as the availability heuristic or the gambler’s fallacy. Other fallacies come from a logical fallacy, such as the straw man fallacy.

Mathematical fallacies can come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on the type and degree of fallacies, it can be considered a mathematical fallacy.

Mathematical Fallacy Examples

Mathematical example in Philosophy

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in Philosophy:

The philosopher’s fallacy is the assumption that a philosophical argument can be judged by its conclusion. This is not always true, as some arguments are valid but lead to an invalid conclusion.

For example, if I say “A and B” and you say “B”, then it does not follow that A must be false

It therefore follows that;

• The argument is invalid because the premises are false
• The argument is fallacious because it commits a logical fallacy of circular reasoning.
• The argument is invalid because it relies on an unproven assumption

Mathematical Fallacy Real-Life Examples

Mathematical Fallacy in Real Life:

•  The gambler’s fallacy
• Confirmation bias
• Survivorship bias
• Misleading Venn diagram

Mathematical Fallacy Examples in Media

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in Media:

The media often mentions the number of people who have died in a natural disaster without mentioning how many survived.

They may also mention that there is a 1% chance of rain when it will actually be 10%

Mathematical Examples in Advertising

Mathematical Fallacy in Advertising:

• A company advertises that their product is “guaranteed to last for a lifetime”
•  The company’s advertising campaign claims that the product will last for 100 years.  However, the warranty only lasts 5 years

Mathematical Fallacy in Politics

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in Politics:

• The argument that the majority of people are in favor of a certain policy, so it is best for the country.
•  The assumption that an event’s probability will be more or less than 50% based on how many times it has happened before.
• Assuming that something is true because someone says it with authority

Mathematical Fallacy examples in Movies

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in Movies:

When the protagonist is shown to be a hero because they are able to solve a problem in less than 30 seconds.

When a character is introduced as being very intelligent, but then does something stupid that makes them look like an idiot.

The use of dramatic irony when characters know more information than the audience

Mathematical Fallacy Examples in Literature

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in Literature:

The protagonist in the book “The Catcher in the Rye” is Holden Caulfield, who is a 16-year-old boy. He has been expelled from his school and he’s trying to find his way home

He encounters many people on the street that are either strangers or acquaintances of Holden’s.

One such person is Mr Spencer, who tells him about how he hates all children because they’re so phony and dishonest

Mathematical Fallacy Examples in News

Examples of Mathematical Fallacy in News:

•  A false statistic is presented as fact.
• The conclusion of a study does not match the data on which it was based
• Data is manipulated to support a desired outcome
•  The facts are cherry-picked and taken out of context

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