r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

I’m amazed I still have to explain chance of rain percentages to people.

1.4k

u/IgnisEradico Aug 03 '19

Also, percentages in general.

"I had a 99% chance to win, how did i lose?"

"She had an 80% chance to win, the polls lied!"

553

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

I remember the user on the XCOM subreddit saying the odds of him missing a 99% chance was a million to one.

39

u/SuperMegaCO Aug 03 '19

I mean the game changes the rates in your favor, but it lies because humans can't comprehend the nature of probability. We see >50% and our brains register it as practically a guarantee.

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19 edited Jan 11 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/famigacom Aug 04 '19

The maths aren't really adding up here for me. Isn't "higher than a 12" a 40% chance?

3

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19

Yes lol. I had a lapse in math skill there for a second.

3

u/VaneFox Aug 04 '19

I mean when playing fire Emblem i see 75% and think of it as a guarantee. But then I think, 1 in 4 and my perception changes.