When I see a number in an essay or argument I always quickly question the validity of the number. I find it extremely difficult to rest my faith that the number is true based on a researcher’s name. Thus, when I write my essays I always try to avoid using statistical data or at least explain how these numbers were created. Unlike statements, a number does not have any supporting evidence. In order to determine if a number is correct, we would have to read the research report by the people who found that data. And in a basic argument, we do not have the time to do that. Thus, we tend to place our faith that the numbers are accurate. For a statement, we can make up logical reasons on why the claim, but for numbers there is nothing. In this chapter, Epstein talks about numbers being compared and talked about.