👉 Toxic math refers to the use of mathematical concepts or techniques in a way that is misleading, deceptive, or harmful. This can manifest in several ways, such as cherry-picking data to support a biased argument, misrepresenting statistical significance, or using flawed mathematical models that lead to incorrect conclusions. For instance, a toxic example might involve presenting a correlation as causation without sufficient evidence, or using logarithmic scales to exaggerate small differences while downplaying large ones. Such practices can distort understanding and lead to poor decision-making, eroding trust in mathematical and scientific communication.
