That's the reaction any good copy editor should have when encountering a number in a story, caption, headline or graphic. Many of us who are attracted to writing and editing profess a regrettable lack of interest in and understanding of numbers. The following material is designed to help you realize that most such numbers are not baffling. Remember, credibility is a newspaper's most prized possession. Errors erode credibility.
Quantitative information breeds errors.
The Easy Numbers C hecking the accuracy of some quantitative information requires no more than fifth-grade arithmetic and the determination to be careful. The numbers need to be consistent with the other information given. An effective copy editor should deliberately count the priorities noted. Either the reporter omitted one of the four or the governor identified only three priorities. The copy editor should consult the reporter and make the appropriate change in the story.