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Me the Original Again!
Explanation:
There are some kinds of graphical relationships that the human eye and brain simple are not very good at processing. The original trial exhibit on the previous page illustrates one of them. It does appear that the vertical distance between the two lines increases until about the time of the alleged rumor, then decreases. If so, it might support the plaintiff's charges. Notwithstanding appearances, however, the distance between the two lines actually is maximized in the first period, at the far left of the diagram. Any contrary impression is an illusion. There is no fancy "proof" of this; go back to the previous page, get a piece of paper or ruler, and then measure this for yourself.
In fact, the period-by-period profit levels are accurately plotted directly below, based on the same underlying data as were used to create the original exhibit. The two diagrams give quite different impressions, don't they? Yet, they are both technically precise diagrams.
Show
Me the Original Again!
The message? Pay attention to the "artful" way in which exhibits are sometimes prepared. A series of additional examples will be appear in the future on these pages. In fact, the next problem will be generated from the "answer" exhibit shown above. Can you guess what issue it will raise? Select the Continue icon below to see this next problem now.
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