Jonathan Berkowitz

Recently I was asked why cryptic crosswords are a regular feature of statistics magazines. What do word puzzles have to do with numbers and data analysis? In my opinion, the common element is “pattern recognition.” Many fellow members of The National Puzzlers’ League, of which I have written about previously, are quantitative types: mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists, among others. I like to tell people that I do numbers for a vocation and words for an avocation. I welcome your comments about the shared interest in, and facility with, numbers and words.

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