ABSTRACT
Business and economics students need to be able to write about statistical data clearly and accurately. This chapter explains and practises the basic language of numbers and percentages. It also lists expressions that can be used to present and simplify statistical information. In introductions, numbers are often used to give an accurate account of a situation: Women account for fewer than 2" of Fortune 500 CEOs, 14" of Fortune 500 directors, and 8" and 5" of board directors and top managers of the biggest west European companies. Figures and numbers are used to talk about statistical data in a general sense. The figures/numbers in the report need to be read critically. Percentages are commonly used for expressing degrees of change. Although the accurate use of numbers is vital, too many statistics can make texts difficult to read. If the actual number is not important, words such as 'various', 'dozens' or 'scores' may be used instead.
