STATISTICAL TRICKS.

  There is a group of five statisticians on a 'train. At the next stop, five
epidemiologists get on. They all seem to know each other and start
chatting. It transpires that each of the epidemiologists has bought a
ticket, but the statisticians have only bought one between the five of
them. "Why did you do that?" asks one of the epidemiologists. "Surely
you're going to get caught and. thrown off the train". "Just wait and see!",
smiles one of the statisticians.

   As the ticket inspector is approaching to check everyone's tickets, the
statisticians all go off to the nearest toilet -the inspector passes the
epidemiologists and inspects all their tickets then moves on and notices
that the toilet is locked. "Tickets please!" shouts the inspector. One of
the statisticians pushes their ticket under the toilet door, which the
inspector checks and returns under the door. Once the inspector has
gone, all the statisticians return to their seats to the awe and amazement
of the epidemiologists. "That's incredibly clever!" says one of the
epidemiologists.

   A few weeks later they all find themselves on the same train again. They
sit together and start chatting once more. "We've done what you
suggested", says one of the epidemiologists, "and just bought one ticket
between the five of us!". "Oh really", says one of the statisticians, "we
haven't bought ANY tickets this time!". The epidemiologists look at each
other in amazement. "OK, one ticket between you is fine but not buying
any at all is ludicrous! "

   As the ticket inspector approaches the epidemiologists hurry off to the
toilet. Once they're inside the statisticians follow them. "Tickets please! "
shouts one of the statisticians. The ticket appears under the door and
they take it away and all bundle into a different toilet. The inspector gets
to the toilet with the epidemiologists in it. "Tickets please!" he shouts.
No reply. "Tickets please!". The epidemiologists admit defeat and come
out of the toilet only to be thrown off at the next station.

Cheers!