3 easy ways to trick people with numbers

Numbers can be dry and boring for many of us, but they do have a way of making things seem factual even when they aren't

Man with numbers
(Image credit: (Thinkstock))

When it comes to arguing a position, convincing someone to buy a product, or proving your innocence in court, few things are more convincing than good ol' statistical data.

Of course, as high school math teachers and savvy internet commenters agree, statistics are malleable and easy to abuse. In Derrell Huff's 1954 book How to Lie With Statistics, he offers great tips on how to spot misleading data. They're still relevant today.

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Carmel Lobello is the business editor at TheWeek.com. Previously, she was an editor at DeathandTaxesMag.com.