How does the use of the rhetorical question “Are such numbers fanciful?” in paragraph 3 contribute to an understanding of the author’s purpose?

Without the specific text or paragraph 3, it's difficult to provide a precise answer. However, I can give a general explanation of how a rhetorical question like "Are such numbers fanciful?" might contribute to understanding an author's purpose.

1. Engaging the Reader: Rhetorical questions are often used to engage the reader and encourage them to think more deeply about the topic. By asking "Are such numbers fanciful?", the author might be trying to provoke the reader into considering the validity or realism of the numbers or statistics previously mentioned.

2. Expressing Doubt or Skepticism: The question could also be used to express the author's doubt or skepticism about the numbers. If the author believes the numbers are exaggerated or unrealistic, this question could be a subtle way of suggesting that to the reader.

3. Highlighting a Point: The author might use this rhetorical question to highlight a point or argument they are trying to make. By asking if the numbers are fanciful, they draw attention to them and emphasize their importance in the discussion.

4. Setting up an Argument: The rhetorical question could also be a way of setting up an argument or discussion that follows. The author might ask this question at the start of a paragraph or section, then spend the rest of it answering the question and explaining why they believe the numbers are or are not fanciful.

Remember, the specific context of the question in the text could change how it contributes to the understanding of the author's purpose.