Explore the intersection of scientific tools and everyday understanding in this Oxford Mathematics Public Lecture. Delve into Anna Seigal's insights on reconciling complex mathematical concepts with real-world applications. Discover how key measurements and scaling processes impact various fields, from disease treatment to exam result predictions and personalized advertising. Examine the strengths and limitations of principal component analysis and other statistical methods. Gain a deeper appreciation for the nuanced relationship between advanced mathematical tools and their practical implications in our complex world.