Analysis: Number Use

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A report by CBS MoneyWatch about why North Dakota is considered the best state to live in uses numbers in percentages, fractions and totals.

The entire article is essentially about statistics that highlight North Dakota's benefits compared to others, especially in regards to its "economics and fiscal policy." The numbers are necessary to prove the reporter's point, otherwise it would just be an empty opinion without any facts to back it up. With that said, the numbers are not too overwhelming because the reader recognizes their necessity.

With so many different numbers and figures, the reporter does a good job of realizing when to use percentages and when to use fractions so that it is easier for the reader to grasp the information. Also, by comparing North Dakota to other states, the math is contrasting the two figures helps illustrate the reporter's argument.

Since the article appears to have been exclusively for online purposes, the sources to these figures are not directly listed but links in the article. These sources range from Gallup surveys, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Overall, I would say the reporter uses numbers effectively in the article to show how North Dakota is superior in elements that would be important to homeowners, professionals and families.

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This page contains a single entry by joh07431 published on April 3, 2011 4:48 PM.

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