40% NOT COMFORTABLE WITH NUMBERS

Four in 10 people do not feel confident about using numbers in their everyday lives. This is according to the research published by the Association of British Insurers. (* Four out of ten. That’s 2 out of 5, or 1 out of two-and-a-half people.) The survey also found:
– One in five (20%) would avoid jobs that involve using numbers often.
– More than a third said that having easier access to online numeracy tools would help them. (* Like a calculator? Because those are so hard to come by these days.)
– 25% feel that clearer explanations would increase their confidence in dealing with numbers.
* 100% are okay dealing with numbers when they get their paycheck.
* Imagine being uncomfortable with numbers. “Honey, can you tell us where the bad numbers touched you?”
* Two numbers that do seem to calm people down are 4 and 20.
* Don’t worry. Not being good with numbers never stopped anybody from, say, running for Congress.
* The only people who really need to be good with numbers are quarterbacks – “Hut One! Hut Two!” – and the NASA guy who counts down the rocket launch: “Five… four… three… fourteen… negative eight… liftoff!”
* Sounds like the Association of British Insurers is one super-duper interesting place to work.