Monday, Jun. 07, 2004

Numbers

$154 million Original estimate of how much the Democratic National Convention would add to the economy of its host city, Boston

$49.8 million New projection of expected losses caused by subway and traffic tie-ups that will hurt tourism and retail sales, reduce productivity and keep some workers away from their jobs

80 Decibel level of city traffic

105 Decibel level of Brood X periodical cicadas, back this summer in the Eastern U.S. after a 17-year absence

120 Decibel level of a Fourth of July firecracker

105 million Number of votes cast in the 2000 presidential election out of 156 million registered voters

65 million Number of callin votes recorded for the two finalists on American Idol (some people voted twice)

Sources: Boston Globe (2); Oregon Research Center (3); Federal Election Commission; Charlotte Observer