Not everything in life can be accepted at face value. Sometimes we are fooled. For example, one of the best-known sites in New York City is named Trump Tower. Trump Tower is named, of course, after successful realtor and self-promoter extra ordinaire, Donald Trump. Located in mid-Manhattan this spectacular building is 68 stories tall, according to most reference sources. At least that's what the books say. And, in fact, there is a button for the 68th floor in the elevator. Pushing that button takes you to an actual floor whose apartment numbers begin with 68. Yet Trump Tower doesn't have 68 stories; it actually has only 58 stories.

William Poundstone, in his book Biggest Secrets, points out that prices of condos rise in proportion to height. Therefore, he suspects, someone in the Trump or…