Mathiness, as defined by Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West, refers to calculations and formulas that mimic rigorous math but lack true rigor or validity. These formulas often use the language of math and science to create the appearance of accuracy, leading to misleading and dangerous results in fields like product management. Fake physics formulas, like the Virginia Mason Quality Equation, can imply relevance when the math doesn’t add up logically. Precision does not equal accuracy, and errors compound in complex ways under mathiness. Strategies for fixing mathiness include comparing orders of magnitude, avoiding numerical values, and consistently assigning scores to buckets.
https://www.votito.com/methods/mathiness